Technical Assistance (TA) Plan

What is a TA Plan?

One strategy utilized by KITS to address the needs of an individual, or early intervention program is an individualized technical assistance (TA) plan. These plans are conceptualized to meet the needs of individuals or groups wishing to expand skills to build capacity for systems change in their own work environment, rather than in a traditional or formal training situation. Any person working in early intervention program (Part C) can request technical assistance from KITS. Priority will be given to requests related to improving local levels of determination or results on State Performance Plan (SPP) indicators.

The design for focused intervention through development of an individualized TA plan is consistent with current research suggesting that "professional development is more likely to be effective when it is long term, focuses on changes at multiple levels (individuals, programs, organizations, districts, states), and is aligned with policies, standards, and expected child and family outcomes" (Winton, McCollum, & Catlett, 2011, p. 263). The KITS TA plan combines training (knowledge acquisition) with assessment of implementation (knowledge utilization), two components predictive of effective systems change (Fixen, Naoom, Blasé, Friedman, & Wallace, 2005). Further, a KITS TA plan can be developed to support the Individual Development Plan (IDP) process for professional relicensure.

References

Fixen, D.L., Naoom, S.F., Blasé, K.A., Friedman, R.M., & Wallace, F. (2005) Implementation research: A synthesis of the literature. Tampa: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute.

Winton, P.J., McCollum, J.A., & Catlett, C. (2011) A framework and recommendations for a cross-agency professional development system. In Winton, McCollum, & Catlett (eds) (2011) Practical approaches to early childhood professional development, Washington, DC: Zero To Three National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families, pp. 263-272.

For an example of a TA Plan, email kskits@ku.edu or call 620-448-3067.