State Early Childhood Technical Assistance Systems

Utah

• Part C TA System Description
• 6/18/02

Basic design features

Technical assistance related to early intervention is provided by four staff members of the Lead Agency for Part C with input from the Part C Coordinator. One of the staff takes the lead in compliance functions. The staff pairs up to provide services to 17 local programs. Occasionally outside consultants are used or other Department of Health staff and staff of the Early Childhood Research Institute at Utah State University. Federal Part C funds support technical assistance activities as well as Medicaid. State sources include general revenue funds.

Primary clients/recipients of technical assistance services

Primary clients are the early intervention providers in the entire state through 15 early intervention programs that include private non-profits, for profits, school districts, health departments and universities. Parents are considered secondary clients/recipients of technical assistance services, and a state hot line and a Web site are maintained for families. Parents are invited and receive preparation to work with legislators during Disability Day at the Legislature and other locally planned activities through the Legislative Coalition for People with Disabilities. Other TA recipients include Local ICCs and FACTS (Families and Communities Together), community planning groups.

Ways technical assistance is provided

Technical assistance is frequently provided through regional/ topical workshops, in-service training courses, consultation to programs and providing information and consultation via telephone and email. Occasionally technical assistance is provided through peer-to-peer information exchange, mentoring and print and non-print materials. Distance-learning technologies are occasionally used to provide technical assistance including video and audio teleconferencing, CD-ROM, web-based services, instructional videocassettes, lending library, and self-study modules. The Lead Agency has teleconferencing ability from its new building and can interact with local health departments.

TA system operations

Early intervention service providers assist in planning technical assistance through monthly provider meetings and planning for regional/state special education conferences. Needs for training and technical assistance are also determined through monitoring visits to programs. Technical assistance activities are planned at the state level and are mostly targeted to early intervention providers although occasionally include others.

Evaluation of the TA system

Early intervention staff and parents, through parent satisfaction surveys, are involved in the evaluation of the state’s technical assistance system. The Early Intervention Research Institute at USU and the State ICC are other participants in planning and evaluation of the system.

Relationship of TA system to the monitoring/supervision of local programs

The outcomes of local monitoring determine most of the needs and priorities to be addressed by the state TA system.

Relationship of TA system to the state’s Comprehensive System of Personnel Development (CSPD)

The state Comprehensive System of Personnel Development (CSPD) is a separate endeavor. The early intervention TA System is coordinated with the state CSPD task force activities. Part C staff attend monthly meetings of the state CSPD Consortium which includes representatives from Local Education Administration, the Special Education Director, Rehabilitation, Head Start, and Early Intervention.

Relationship with Section 619 of Part B

The Early Intervention and Section 619, Preschool Program jointly fund and provide local training on the topics of inclusion and transition.

For further information, contact

• Susan Ord, Part C Coordinator
• or Jennifer Saunders
• Division of Family Health Services
• Department of Health
• P.O. Box 144620
• Salt Lake City, UT 84114-4720
• Phone: (801) 584-8226
• Fax: (801) 584-8496
• Email: sord@doh.state.ut.us