Technical assistance, or TA, is a collaborative process between the project, the professionals, and the family that includes needs assessment, negotiation of goals, and decision making about services. These services may include the sharing of resources and information, networking with other parents or professionals both in-person and online, on-site coaching and modeling, professional development both in-person and online, among other options. Anyone who is involved in the life of a child or young adult who is deaf-blind is an eligible recipient of TA, including parents, professionals, children and young adults who are deaf-blind.

In order to implement effective Technical Assistance that promotes academic achievement and improved results, research has proven that the following variables must be in place:

• a multi-tiered approach to the delivery of technical assistance,
• readiness for changes, and
• various implementation drivers.

As prescribed by the Office of Special Education Programs, the NYDBC will operate within a multi-tiered technical assistance delivery system.

Universal/General

is provided through dissemination and distance training activities. This type of technical assistance builds basic knowledge, increases identification and awareness and connects families and service providers with NYDBC. These activities will be in the form of e-newsletters, postcard distribution, website and referrals. In this capacity NYDBC acts as a resource on deaf-blind related content.

Targeted/Specialized

is comprised mostly of training activities that will be delivered both in-person and through distance technologies. The focus of Targeted TA is based on individual needs assessments driven by statewide initiatives. At this level stakeholders can assume their participation will lead to a change of knowledge on evidence-based practices that will ultimately impact learners who are deaf-blind. Engagement within these activities will set the stage for Intensive/Sustained TA.

Intensive/Sustained

is technical assistance that has been designed specifically for committed parties who have participated in Targeted/Specialized activities. Activities at this level of technical assistance include assessing, facilitating, coordinating, mentoring, and modeling. These activities are negotiated with the recipients and delivered with a higher level of intensity that will lead to observable and measurable change, typically at the child outcome level.

The conceptual framework provides a visual display of the overall concept of the grant’s five initiatives, capturing the multi-tiered delivery process with the necessary inputs and outputs. It also depicts the ways in which the project is evaluated, through program and project measures.