Birth to 3 Program: Technical Assistance for Counties

Statewide teleconferences

BCS provides a variety of state-level teleconference opportunities to learn about program policy, operations, eligibility, and quality issues:

Program teleconferences

These are held every other month, on odd-numbered months. Program teleconferences are opportunities for program staff and managers to learn details about new or upcoming initiatives, policy updates, and operational information at a statewide level.

To receive emails for updates and information about program teleconferences, email DHSBCSTAC@dhs.wisconsin.gov. Previous teleconferences can be viewed online.

Quality teleconferences

These are held twice a year and are intended for program managers and quality leads within the local program. These quality-focused teleconferences are an opportunity to learn more about quality and compliance measures for the program and learn about program improvement efforts at a statewide level.

To receive emails for updates and information about program teleconferences, email DHSBCSTAC@dhs.wisconsin.gov. Previous teleconferences can be viewed online.

Special topic teleconferences

At times, BCS will host teleconferences that focus on a specific topic. These teleconferences are offered when topics or issues are more timely or complex to include in the regular program teleconferences. The intended audience for these teleconferences may vary, and will be indicated in the GovDelivery email message announcing the teleconference.

To receive emails for updates and information about program teleconferences, email DHSBCSTAC@dhs.wisconsin.gov. Previous teleconferences can be viewed online.

Post-teleconference operational discussions

Similar to office hours, children and family program specialists in BCS host this optional opportunity for identified program leads to discuss topics from the most recent program teleconference in order to share ideas for implementation of policies, initiatives, or other program requirements.

• Post-teleconference operational discussions are typically hosted a within a few weeks after the program teleconference.
• Program leads will receive an Outlook appointment directly from BCS staff. If you are the assigned program lead for your local program, and have not received an invitation, please contact the BCS TAC at dhsbcstac@dhs.wisconsin.gov or 608-267-6767.
• Program leads are encouraged to bring forward questions their program staff may have from the past teleconference.

What is individualized technical assistance?

Individualized technical assistance (TA) is available to help operationalize program requirements and to assure programs are effective at the local level. TA can help local programs advance their service delivery system and could include support in areas of program development, policy analysis, data management and analysis, and the integration of best practices into the local program service delivery structure.

Individualized technical assistance is not intended to arbitrate participant specific requests for individualized services and supports. Questions pertaining to the authorization of direct participant and/or service specific requests may not be responded to directly unless those submissions are required to be submitted to DHS for formal approval based on program requirements (for example, institutional respite requests).

Technical assistance could be provided through email, by meeting once directly with BCS staff either virtually or in person, or with a series of meetings to address more complex topics or broader systematic issues.

How do local programs request individualized technical assistance?

Local county program leads can request individualized technical assistance by emailing the BCS TAC at dhsbcstac@dhs.wisconsin.gov. In order to promote an accurate and timely response, make sure to include all relevant information about your request for technical assistance, including information from teaming with program staff, and resources or policies that were referenced when trying to resolve an issue locally.

Individualized technical assistance could be required when BCS identifies possible issues of noncompliance with a local program. In this instance, BCS staff will contact the identified program lead directly to initiate technical assistance.

What happens when a local program submits a TA request to the TAC?

• When a request is submitted to the TAC, the submission will be reviewed and assigned to the appropriate personnel for a response and resolution as necessary.
• All submissions will be tracked and will inform future TA activities and additional resource development.

What are other reasons why a local program should contact the BCS TAC?

Keep your local contact information up to date! BCS often sends out communications directly to local program leads. Local programs should contact the TAC when the identified program lead changes to another individual.

What is the difference between technical assistance provided by BCS and professional development provided by the EI in WI professional development system?

Together, DHS and CESA 5’s RESource project works collaboratively to provide a comprehensive system of support for local early intervention programs.

The DHS TAC System Provides support around:

• Operating a Wisconsin Birth to 3 Program in terms of policy and procedure.
• Following the rules and regulations surrounding early intervention as laid out by
  the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) and DHS 90.
• Data gathering, analytics and reporting.
• Maintenance and interpretation of the Wisconsin Birth to 3 Program Operations
  Guide, P-03138 (PDF).

The RESource team provides ongoing professional development support for the Birth to
3 Program workforce surrounding:

• Equal access to high quality early intervention services.
• Effective interventions and strategies to use with children and families.
• Connections with other systems in the state who also support young children and
  their families.
• The maintenance of a professional development home through the EI in WI website.

OSEP requires Part C lead agencies (DHS) to provide a system of professional development for training of
early intervention service providers. DHS contracts with CESA 5’s RESource Project to provide that statewide professional development.

BCS is constantly working on projects, initiatives, and policy updates. Operational Impact Discussions are an opportunity for local programs to provide valuable feedback on changes prior to implementation at the local level. Local programs can provide insight into local operations and how state level changes may impact other aspects of program operations.

These opportunities are scheduled based on the need for the project.

Counties can contact the TAC if interested in participating in these discussions. Please note that this is an ongoing commitment and not specific to one particular topic or project.