East Carolina University Teacher Support Project - State Technical Assist Services for Deaf-Blind Children Grant uri icon

abstract

  • Goal 1 Increase Capacity through Professional Development: Provide and evaluate, according to the National Center and the NC DPI Statewide Deaf-Blind Project Outcome Performance Indicators (OPIs) or similar indicators, professional development to general and special education teachers, infant -toddler specialists, early childhood providers, and related service personnel. A. Provide universal technical assistance through 1) dissemination of research-based practices, approaches, and outcomes via ECU-TSP- DB website, 2) development of training resources (including possible video) addressing identification of children with deaf-blindness (with emphasis on cultural sensitivity) and registration on the state registration and evidence-based practices. B. Facilitate targeted technical assistance through 1) a series of three professional development 1-2-day workshops for teacher-intervener-family teams, teachers serving children and youth with significant and multiple impairments, and related service personnel across the state, and 2) state-wide virtual Professional Learning Communities to expand knowledge base and enhance instructional planning and delivery. C. Provide intensive technical assistance to select programs/school district(s) resulting in systemic change in instructional planning and delivery of education for learners with deafblindness. D. Provide coaching to teams moving forward in capacity-building initiatives. E. Evaluate the impact and outcomes of technical assistance utilizing the OPIs or similar indicators. F. Provide tuition support to select individuals to pursue the national intervener certification or ECU Graduate Certificate in Deaf-Blindness. Individuals receiving support will be working with a child already identified on the NC State Deafblind Census. Technical assistance sessions are designed to systematically increase knowledge and skills related to evidenced-based practices to foster early communication (pre-intentional to intentional and link with literacy/communication TA project), sensory skills, social skills, and concept development; link person-centered assessment to IFSP and IEP development; and ensure high quality instruction in natural environments and in the general curriculum. Goal 2 Increase Capacity Through Technical Assistance Provide and evaluate the impact of technical assistance as requested to classrooms, centers, and other programs and to families as requested or directed by the NCDPI-DB. A. Collaborate with NC DPI to conduct needs assessment with agencies/LEAs (via the annual Census Child Count activities). Develop and deliver technical assistance supports as appropriate. B. Develop technical assistance plans addressing (but not limited to) communication, literacy, mathematics, self-determination in response to requests received from NCDPI-DB. Provide technical assistance to support school/program plan implementation. C. Respond to requests for information, resources, referrals, and training. D. Follow-up to ensure that changes in resources and practice are sustained. E. Analyze TA and information and referral requests and responses to identify long-term systems change and capacity-building needs and approaches for the NC Statewide Deaf-Blind Project. F. Refine work of the ECU TSP Cadre of technical assistance providers throughout the state. ECU will support their release time and/or contract with their employers to cover the cost of substitute release when they are providing technical assistance. Technical assistance providers (TA Cadre and ECU staff) will receive 1) reimbursement for travel costs associated with the TA services and project meetings, 2) professional development support to attend a national meeting addressing learners with deaf-blindness, and 3) a ?TSP Tool Kit? including a variety of instructional and assistive technology resources for use duri

date/time interval

  • October 2018 - September 2023