State Early Childhood Technical Assistance Systems

Vermont

• Part C TA System Description
• 12/6/06

Basic design features

The VT TA system is centralized and incorporated within the structure of the Part C Program (The Family, Infant and Toddler Project) and Co-Lead Agencies, which are the Vermont Department of Education and the Agency of Human Services. However, TA related to early intervention is also provided by other partner agencies and funded by other sources. These other organizations include the University Affiliated Program (UAP), Parent/child centers and other host agencies, Department of Developmental and Mental Health Services, Department of Education, individual school districts, Department of Health, Division of Child Care Services, childcare programs, and programs for the visually impaired and deaf and hard of hearing.

Federal funding sources for the technical assistance system includes Part C and EEE. State resources within the state general revenue fund flow through the Department of Education and EEE. Beverly MacCarty, Part C Coordinator, has direct oversight responsibility for all TA activities funded or partially funded by Part C funds.

Primary clients/recipients of technical assistance

Primary clients of the state technical assistance system include early intervention providers and administrators, regional ICCs, families, and medical personnel. Other early childhood providers who do not receive Part C funds are considered to be secondary clients. Families are considered to be direct clients of TA services and TA is provided through the same process that is provided to other client groups.

Ways technical assistance is provided

Technical assistance is most frequently provided through the following methods: statewide conferences, regional/topical workshops, consultations to programs, provision of information and consultation via telephone and e-mail, facilitation of peer to peer information exchange and consultation and development of print and/or non-print materials. It is occasionally provided through in-service training courses and a mentor program, telementoring or e-mail mentoring. The state TA system also uses lending libraries, interactive video and/or audio teleconferencing, Internet, e-mail, bulletin boards, listservs, and self-study modules and correspondence courses. Distance learning is utilized for some conferences, workshops, and courses.

TA system operations

There is no formal statewide needs assessment for technical assistance. Needs are assessed through the local ICCs, individual TA needs requests, monitoring surveys and focus group discussions. Priorities are set through collaborative efforts between the ICC and staff from the co-lead agencies. There is a master calendar of TA activities for funded TA services. All TA activities are coordinated to include multiple clients as relevant.

Evaluation of the TA system

Documentation of the numbers and types of TA services are reflected in quarterly progress updates completed by local programs. Discrete activities and events are evaluated through conference evaluations. Information from these events is used to help address the issues of quality assurance and to determine the formal TA needs of the client group.

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

The outcomes of local monitoring are shared with the state TA system. Training needs to address the priorities of the TA system are developed through the review of regional plans.

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

The CSPD and the Vermont TA system are the same endeavor. Some TA services are related to university courses/credits and CEUs.

Relationship with Section 619 of Part B

The Part C Coordinator and the Section 619 Coordinator plan and coordinate most TA system activities jointly.

For further information, contact:

• Helen Keith, Part C Coordinator
• Family, Infant and Toddler Prgram
• DCF-2 North
• 103 South Main Street
• Waterbury, VT 05671-2901
• Phone: (802) 241-3622
• Fax: (802) 241-1220
• E-mail: hkeith@vdh.state.vt.us