At your service...

Contact us via email or call us in-state toll-free between 9:00am and 5:00pm MT at 1.888.231.9393, Local 406.444.3095

Have a Media Inquiry?
Contact Allyson Hagen, 406.444.3160

MAIN CONTACTS

Tim Harris, Division Administrator, 406.444.4429
State Special Education Funding, School Psychology Services, Cooperatives, Legislation

School Improvement Unit

  • Frank Podobnik,, Unit Manager, 406.444.1579
    Compliance Monitoring, Focused Intervention, Secondary Transition, Transition Outcomes Project
  • Dick Trerise, Compliance Monitoring Specialist, 406.444.1579
  • Francisco Román, Monitoring Specialist, 406.444-4426, TTY: 444.0235
    Compliance Monitoring,Services to Students with Deaf-Blindness
  • Danni McCarthy, Monitoring Specialist, 406.444.0452
    619 Coordinator, Compliance Monitor, Preschool Specialist
  • Dale Kimmet, Monitoring Specialist, 406.444.0742
    Compliance Monitor, Significant Needs Grant
  • Marla Swanby, Monitoring Specialist, 406.444.0044   

Professional Development Unit

  • Susan Bailey-Anderson, Unit Manager, 406.444.2046
    State Personnel Development Grant (SPDG),Professional Development and Technical Assistance (CSPD), Montana Behavioral Initiative(MBI), Services/Issues for Students with Emotional Disturbance/Behavior Disorders, Integrated School Mental Health, Paraprofessional Training
  •  Brandi Long, Program Improvement Specialist, 406.444.0688
    Targeted School Improvement Activities, Speech Stipend Program, Transition, Special Education Endorsement Project, Integrated School Mental Health, School Psychology Stipend Program
  • Amy Friez, RTI Coordinator, 406.444.0923
    Response to Intervention (RTI), School Improvement, Instructional Strategies, Training and Assistance
  • Vacant, Coordinator, State Personnel Development Grant
    Differentiated Instruction, Teacher Mentor Programs and Training, Secondary Transition and Best Practices in Professional Development
  • Doug Doty, Coordinator, Montana Autism Education Project, 406.444.0907
  • Floy Scott, Research and Analysis Specialist, 406.243.2892

Part B/ Data and Accountability Unit

  • Vacant, Unit Manager, Part B/Data and Accountability Unit/Administrative Support, 406.444.4428
    IDEA Part B/Preschool Allocations, E-Grants, Child Count, State Special Education Funding, State Performance Plan, Annual Performance Report, School Psychology Services
  • Karen Crogan, Data and Accountability Specialist, 406.444.0685
    Special Education Data Collections, Federal Reporting, School Discipline
  • Anne Rainey,Data and Accountability Specialist, 406.444.4430
    Child Count, Part B/Preschool Allocations, State Special Education Funding, and Cooperative Memberships, AIM, eGrants
  • Jan Duiker, Data and Accountability Specialist,  406.444-7432
    AIM, General Data Requests, Post-School Survey
  • Marlene Wallis,Administrative Support Supervisor, 406.444.2504
    Support Staff, Contracts/Agreements, State Special Education Advisory Panel, Hearing Conservation Program
  • Karen Jeschke, Program Specialist, 406.444.0037
    State Professional Development Grant (SPDG), CSPD, Montana Behavioral Initiative (MBI), Renewal Units, Transition
  • Janine O'Conner Program Specialist, 406.444.5661
    Response to Intervention (RTI), Autism Program

Attached Personnel

  • Mary Gallagher, Early Assistance Program Director, 406.444.5664
    Suspension/Expulsion, Parent/School Inquiries Prior to Formal Complaint, Early Assistance Program(EAP), Section 504 Questions
  • Linda Brandon-Kjos, Administrative Officer, 406.444.4402
    Mediation, Due Process Hearings, Expedited Hearings, Liaison/Hearing Officers
  • Cindi Tenneson, Programmer/Analyst, 406.444.9860
    Analysis and Design of Computer Applications for Collection, Analysis and Reporting of Special Education Data
  • Charlotte McMilin, Accounting Specialist, 406.444.4403
    IDEA-B/Preschool Accounting, In-State Day Treatment Accounting
  • Ann Gilkey, Legal Counsel, 406.444.4399
    Questions Concerning Procedural Safeguards Under IDEA.Due Process, Complaints
Loading
 

School Programs:
Special Education

Welcome to the Montana Division of Special Education web pages. The Division of Special Education has responsibility for assuring that children with disabilities receive a free and appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment. Division staff provide training, technical assistance and monitor special education services provided by public schools and state-operated programs. The Division is also responsible for managing the flow of state and federal dollars for special education programs.

Monitoring
The compliance monitoring process has been revised beginning with the 2009-2010 school year, These revisions will result in significant changes to the monitoring process and districts responsibilities in correction of identified non-compliance in individual student records. A more complete monitoring guide will be available in October. If you have questions contact the Division of Special Education at 406.444.5661
New Compliance Monitoring Description
Compliance Monitoring Cycle, Revised November 2011
Schedule by District November 2011
Monitoring Identified Noncompliance Frequency Chart
Tips from the OPI Monitors
Students With Unique Concerns (SWUC) form
SWUC Timelines for Correction
2011 Record Review
District Record Review
Timelines for Correction - Updated September 2010

Wikis/Blogs
Montana Autism Education Project
Secondary Transition

Parent Resources
 Montana Recreation Handbook for People with Special Needs
OT/PT Parent Handbook
Opening Doors: Technology and Communication Options for Children with Hearing Loss
Procedural Safeguards in Special Education
Procedural Safeguards - Spanish Version
Procedural Safeguards - Russian Version
PLUK Contact Information

Private/NonPublic Schools
Private School Child Count
Children Enrolled by their Parents in Private Schools
OSEP Guidance on Private Schools
Private Schools Memo

Advisory Panel


Members

Private School Representative
Tim Norbeck
Principal
Butte Central Catholic High School
9 S Idaho Street
Butte, MT 59701

Regular Classroom Teacher
Susan Gunn
Resource Teacher
Central School
402 N Warren
Helena, MT 59601

State Agency
Jackie Emerson
IFES Coordinator
PO Box 238
Clancy, MT59634

Parent Of A Child With Disabilities
Dave Mahon
Superintendent
Havre Public Schools
Box 7791
Havre, MT 59501

Higher Education that Prepares
Special Education and Related
Services Personnel
Kenneth Miller, Ph.D.
Professor, College of Education
MSU-Bllings
1500 University Drive
Billings, MT 59105

Teacher of Children with Disabilities
Christa Seger
935 Forest Glen
Bozeman, MT 59718

Special Education Program Administrator
Sharon Lindstrom
Director of Student Services
Great Falls Public Schools
1100 4th Street South
Great Falls, MT 59403

State/Local Administrator
Dustin Shipman
Principal
Boulder Elementary Schools
PO Box 838
Boulder, MT 59632

State Child Welfare Agency Responsible for Foster Care
Mick Leary
PO Box 8005
Helena, MT 59604

Vocational, Community, or Business Concerned with the Provision of Transition Services to Children with Disabilities
Terry Galle
Executive Director
AWARE Inc.
1341 Galen Street
Deer Lodge, MT 59722 Representative From Juvenile & Adult Corrections

Mark Thatcher
Juvenile and Adult Corrections
Montana Board of Crime Control
3075 North Montana Avenue
Helena, MT 59620

Part C/IDEA Representative
Denise Herman
Child Care Resource and Referral Coordinator
Hi-Line Home Programs Inc.
605 3rd Ave. S.
Glasgow, MT59230

Representatives of other state agencies involved in the financing or delivery of Related Services to Children with Disabilities
Rena Steyaert
Montana Medicaid Program Officer
School-Based Services
1400 Broadway
Helena, MT 59620

Representative of Subtitle B of Title VII of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
Pam Campbell
District Homeless Liaison
Helena Public Schools
Bryant School
1529 Boulder
Helena, MT 59601

Legislator
Wanda Grinde (Year 3) Representative
1910 Bannack Drive
Billings, MT 59105

Student
Cody Preston
3463 Birkland Dr.
Helena, MT 59602

Clear.png

Upcoming Meetings

January 19-20, 2012
The Montana Special Education Advisory Panel will meet in Helena at the School Administrators of Montana Meeting Room, 900 No. Montana Ave., Ste. A-4, Thursday, January 19, 2012, from 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., and on Friday, January 20, 2012, from 8:30 a.m. - Noon.

The meetings are open to the public. Any individual who plans on attending the meetings and in need of accommodations for a disability should notify Marlene Wallis at the Office of Public Instruction (406) 444-2504.

September 22-23, 2011
The Montana Special Education Advisory Panel will meet in Helena at the Office of Public Instruction, 1300 11th Avenue Conference Room, on Thursday, September 22, 2011, and on Friday, September 23, 2011. This is the Panel’s first meeting for the 2011-2012 school year.

July 7, 2011
The State Special Education Advisory Panel will meet in Helena at the Office of Public Instruction, 1300 11th Avenue Conference Room, on Thursday, July 7, 2011, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., for a one-day meeting. This is the Panel’s final meeting for the 2010-2011 school year.

Early Assistance Program (EAP)

For Assistance: Mary Gallagher, Early Assistance Program 406.444.5664

The Legal Services and Special Education Divisions of the Office of Public Instruction (OPI) have instituted the Early Assistance Program (EAP). This program is designed to provide technical assistance to parents, school districts, and advocacy organizations in regard to the delivery of a free appropriate public education (FAPE) for students with disabilities (10.16.3660, ARM). Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), parents can file complaints if they feel a district is not following administrative rules. The intent of the EAP program is to intervene prior to or at the time of filing a complaint with OPI (10.16.3662)(4)(c). At this intervention point, required by 10.16.3660(4), the EAP will gather information pertinent to the situation from parents, schools, and others who are involved with the issue and attempt to resolve the problem within 15 school days. With permission from the parents, EAP may exceed 15 days.

Our philosophy is to resolve issues amicably and thereby prevent costly legal entanglements wherever possible. We feel that, given the opportunity to discuss the issues at hand in a less formidable and confrontational venue, both parents and schools can reach agreement without undermining the relationships necessary to ensure the smooth delivery of special education services to children and youth with disabilities.

Special Education Forms/Guides


Hearing Conservation Program

The Office of Public Instruction Hearing Conservation Program (OPI-HCP) serves children 0 to 21 years of age. There are 9 audiologists manning 13 regionally based centers. Each center serves approximately 4 or 5 counties around the center.

The HCP involves screening, re-screening, in-school assessments, comprehensive hearing evaluations, and follow-up parent counseling and networking with other agencies. While the screening, and in some cases re-screening, is provided by the schools or special education cooperatives, the training of the screeners and overseeing of the screening program is one of the duties of the audiologists under contract with the HCP. Other duties include, but are not limited to, attending CST/IEP meetings, fitting and overseeing trials with FM systems for the hearing impaired, hearing aid maintenance, installing and maintaining amplified classrooms, child find participation, screening in Headstart and preschools, interagency networking, in service training, report writing and communication with medical providers.

Educational Hearing Conservation Program Guidelines
Hearing Screening Policies and Procedures
HCP Statewide Provider List
Hearing Conservation Program Service Areas

Professional Development Resources

 

 

Additional Professional Development Resources

CSPD
Professional Development Web Page
Deaf-Blind Project
Support Across Montana
Going Mobile – Apps for Life Blog
Montana  Autism Education Project 

Standards-based IEP's
Integrated School Mental Health Initiative
NASDSE Satellite Series - Math Instructions for Students with Special Needs

 

Secondary Transition

Paraprofessional Secondary Transition Academy

Module 1 – Disability Awareness and Employment Supports
Module 2 – Employment Planning – Roles and Responsibilities
Module 3 – Community-Based Job Training


Training & Webinars

Best Practices from the Schools Webinars
A Case Study – March 16, 2011
Above and Beyond – February 23, 2011
Job Experience as the Basis for Transition Planning - February 7, 2011
Trouble Shooting Secondary Transition Challenges – January 19, 2011
"How to Guide" of Secondary Transition – November 17, 2010

Transitioning to Life Webinars
Introduction to the Adult Services Webinars
Navigating Montana's Develpmental Disabilities Program - December, 2010
Vocational Rehabilitation – Transitioning to Life - February 1, 2011
Overview of Social Security – SSI and SSDI — April 19, 2011
This webinar was recorded by the Rural Institute Transition and Employment Projects. After clicking on the link above, select: Audiorecording: Overview of SSI and SSDI
Social Security Work Incentives - May 17, 2011
This webinar was recorded by the Rural Institute Transition and Employments Projects. After clicking on the link above, select: Audio recording of Social Security Work Incentives.

IEP Compliance and Best Practices for Secondary Transition
Secondary Transition 17 years old and beyond – April 28, 2009
Transition Services Powerpoint
Secondary Transition Services – April 9, 2009 Webinar
Measurable Post Secondary Goals - February 24, 2009 Webinar
Secondary Transition Assessments – February 5, 2009 Webinar
Secondary Transition Assessment Webinar – PowerPoint

Job Analysis, Prompting and Fading
Prompting and Fading 2 – April 27, 2011
Prompting and Fading 1 - April 5, 2011
Job Analysis - March 29, 2011

Additional Training
IEP Transition Video

clear

Forms

The Office of Public Instruction has mandated use of the Special Education module of the AIM system effective March 1, 2010. Questions? Contact AIM Help Desk or for Technical Questions, 888.461.2004

Clear.png

Special Education Cooperative Boundaries

Special Education Cooperative Boundaries Bear Paw Coop, PO Box 1449, Chinook 59523 Sanders County Coop Gallatin/Madison Coop Bitterroot Valley Coop Prickly Pear Coop North Central Learning Resource Center Central Montana Learning Resource Center Roose-Valley Special Education Coop Seridan/Daniels Coop Prairie View Coop Big Country Coop Tri-County Coop Eastern Yellowstone Coop Yellowstone/West Carbon Coop Stillwater/Sweetgrass Coop Park County Coop Missoula Area Coop Great Divide Educational Services Flathead County Coop Big Sky Special Education Coop Chouteau County Joint Services