Exceptional Children and Early Learning

Technical Assistance Network

Published: 2/19/2024 11:22 AM

Each year under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the U.S. Department of Education (US ED) awards federal funds to all states under Section 611 (Grants to States) and Section 619 (Preschool). Of these funds, states allocate a substantial portion to local education agencies (LEAs), and smaller amounts for administration of the grant and for what the IDEA refers to as, Other Activities.

In Kentucky, the Office of Special Education and Early Learning (OSEEL) uses the amount it sets aside for Other Activities to fund a statewide network of technical assistance (TA) providers. This statewide TA network provides related support to LEAs to expand services and programs at the local level to improve student performance and outcomes.

The following list of providers is funded to provide technical assistance and support for LEAs for the 2023-2024 school year.

Kentucky’s Special Education Technical Assistance Network supports the efforts and initiatives of the OSEEL to build the capacity of LEAs to serve students who receive special education and related services. If you have questions or an interest in a TA provider, please contact Gretta Hylton at Gretta.Hylton@education.ky.gov.

Technical Assistance Providers

American Sign Language Interpreter Education (ASLIE) at EKU

The American Sign Language Interpreter Education program at EKU trains interpreting education students, enhances skills and knowledge of interpreters in the field as well as teachers, school support staff, and parents, provides access to cutting-edge technology, and collaborates with the Kentucky School for the Deaf (KSD) and other stakeholders.

Arts for All KY

Arts for All Kentucky provides arts education and inclusion programs for children with disabilities throughout the state, including creative writing, dance and movement, drama, music, storytelling, or visual arts. Arts for All KY Roster Artists collaborate with schools, teachers, and community organizations in designing and implementing residencies that interface with the curriculum and enhance learning for PreK-12 students.

Community Work Transition Program (CWTP)

The Community Work Transition Program (CWTP) is a longstanding project of the University of Kentucky’s Human Development Institute (HDI), designed to provide a positive beginning for students with disabilities to gain the skills and resources needed to be career-ready. The CWTP, through services provided by local school district personnel and district employment specialists, supports students with disabilities in being prepared for competitive integrated employment.

Higher Education Special Education Consortium

The Higher Education Special Education Consortium bridges the work between Kentucky’s Institutes for Higher Education (IHE) Special Education Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs), the state leadership team for Kentucky Excellence in Educator Preparation (KEEP), the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE), KDE Special Education Regional Technical Assistance Centers, and partner school districts to increase learning outcomes for students with disabilities.

Kentucky Academic and Behavior Response to Intervention Center (KYABRI)

Kentucky Academic and Behavior Response to Intervention Center (KYABRI) responds to the identified IDEA-related technical assistance needs of schools and districts across the state. Through a tiered (general, supplemental, and intensive) model of support that includes supplemental and intensive support across a range of academic and behavioral needs of students, KYABRI provides local school districts access to a full range of training, technical assistance, and materials to support the use of effective practices related to students with disabilities.

KYABRI also supports districts identified for significant disproportionality under the IDEA as required by 34 CFR 300.646.

Kentucky Autism Training Center (KATC)

The University of Louisville, Kentucky Autism Training Center (KATC) provides training for educators, parents, community members, and related personnel (school psychologists, behavior analysts, speech and language pathologists, diagnosticians, etc.) on the implementation of practices to meet the needs of students identified under the eligibility criteria for autism.

Kentucky Post-School Outcomes Center (KYPSO)

The Kentucky Post School Outcomes Center (KYPSO) develops and oversees the Youth One Year Out (YO-YO) student interviews. KYPSO works with state and local partners to identify factors that lead to a successful transition from high school to adult life for students with disabilities.

Kentucky Special Parent Involvement Network (KY-SPIN)

Kentucky Special Parent Involvement Network (KY-SPIN) supports parents and families of children in special education through training, information dissemination, and one-on-one consultation.

Kentucky Traineeship in Special Education

The KY Traineeship in Special Education supports tuition assistance for individuals teaching in Kentucky public school special education classrooms, attending universities approved for funding, and seeking post-graduate Special Education certification for the position they currently hold.

Murray State University Special Education Alternative Certification Model Program

The Murray State University Special Education Alternative Certification Model Program provides tuition reimbursement for participants seeking learning and behavior disorders (LBD) and moderate to severe disorders (MSD) certification.

Teaching Age-Appropriate Learning through Communication (TAALC)

Teaching Age-Appropriate Learning through Communication (TAALC) provides professional learning for educators, speech-language pathologists, and other related service providers to support students with communication challenges.

UK College of Education – Kentucky Deaf-Blind Project

The Kentucky-Deaf Blind Project is a technical assistance project providing services to individuals with dual sensory (vision and hearing) impairments or losses. Services are provided to individuals from birth to 22 as a statewide service delivery system. In addition, supports to students with complex needs or impairments are also provided upon request. Complex needs are defined as students who have vision and/or hearing loss and additional disabilities. The intent of the project is to work in collaboration with Kentucky’s173 school districts, the Part C service delivery system, Parent Training Information (PTI) Center known as Kentucky’s Special Parent Involvement Network (KY-SPIN), and other local, state, and national partners to improve outcomes for students, families, service providers, and systems.

UK HDI Technical Assistance (TA)

HDI employs ten technical assistance liaisons [TAL] to support the KDE in delivering technical support to local school districts. Under the direction of OSEEL, the TALs work directly with school-level instructional staff to improve the delivery of high-leverage practices in reading, special education monitoring, implementation science, and behavioral interventions.

UTAH Technical Assistance and Excellence in Special Education (TAESE)

TAESE directly supports the State Education Agency (SEA) regarding Special Education Complaint Investigation, training for the State Advisory Panel for Exceptional Children (SAPEC), and the State’s general supervision responsibilities under the IDEA.

Special Education Regional Technical Assistance Centers (SERTACs)

(located at each Educational Cooperative)

Kentucky Special Education Regional Technical Assistance Centers Image

Special Education Regional Technical Assistance Centers (SERTAC) Map

Kentucky has a rich history of providing support for special education to LEAs. All of Kentucky’s local school districts are eligible to receive services at no cost through regional centers. Services range from technical assistance on various issues from IEP development to instructional supports for math and literacy to professional development – all to improve outcomes for students with disabilities. In addition, these TA services align with the OSEEL initiatives to meet the federal requirements of the IDEA and the priorities established by the Office of Special Education Programs.

Central Kentucky Educational Cooperative

2331 Fortune Drive

Suite 110 Lexington, KY 40509

Phone: (859) 402-8610

Fax: (859) 523-8610

Ramona Karsner, Director

Green River Regional Educational Cooperative

230 Technology Way

Bowling Green 42101

Phone: (270) 563-2113

Fax: (270) 563-2208

Dr. Merissa Waddy, Director

Greater Louisville Education Cooperative

VanHoose Education Center

3332 Newburg Rd.

Louisville, KY 40218

Phone: (502) 485-3280

Latricia Bronger, Director

Kentucky Educational Development Corporation

904 West Rose Road

Ashland, KY 41102

Phone: (606) 929-2216

Fax: (606) 929-2116

Stephanie Little, Director

Kentucky Valley Educational Cooperative

412 Roy Campbell Drive

Hazard, KY 41701

Phone: (606) 436-3161

Fax: (606) 439-1322

Dr. Dionne Bates, Director/Implementation and Improvement Lead

Brenda Combs, Director/Compliance Lead

Northern Kentucky Cooperative for Educational Services

5516 East Alexandria Pike

Cold Springs, KY 41076-3540

Phone: (859) 442-8600

Fax: (859) 442-7038

Brittney Howell, Director

Ohio Valley Educational Cooperative

100 Alpine Dr.

P.O. Box 1249

Shelbyville, KY 40066

Phone: (502) 647-3533, ext. 218

Fax: (502) 647-3581

Christel Bogar, Director

Southeast/Southcentral Education Cooperative

55 Waco Dr.

London, KY 40741

Phone: (606) 657-5210

Fax: (859) 575-1618

Dr.Brandi Bray, Director

West Kentucky Educational Cooperative

201 General Services Building

Murray State University

Murray, KY 42071

Phone: (270) 809-6980

Fax: (270) 809-2485

Rachel Johnson, Director

Early Childhood Regional Training Centers (RTCs)

The Early Childhood Regional Training Centers provide various services for the early childhood community, including regional training/workshops, on-site consultations, lending library of materials, and annual statewide and regional collaborative institutes. Five early childhood regional training centers are dedicated to promoting high-quality learning environments and continuous quality improvement in state-funded preschool settings.