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

Frank Podobnik, Division Administrator, 406.444.4428
State Special Education Funding, School Psychology Services, Cooperatives, Legislation

Administrative Support Staff

  • 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
  • Linda Almas, Program Specialist, 406.444.5661
    Response to Intervention (RTI), Autism Program

School Improvement Unit

  • Dick Trerise, Compliance Monitoring Specialist, 406.444.1579
  • Francisco Román, Monitoring Specialist/Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) 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
    Compliance Monitoring, Transition, Parent Participation 

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
  • Debra Park, Program Improvement Specialist, 406.444.0688
    Targeted School Improvement Activities, Speech Stipend Program, Transition, Special Education Endorsement Project
    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
  • Annette Young, Coordinator, State Personnel Development Grant, 406.444.0299
    Differentiated Instruction, Teacher Mentor Programs and Training, Secondary Transition and Best Practices in Professional Development
  • Doug Doty, Coordinator, Montana Autism Education Project, 406.459.5303
  • Vacant, Research and Analysis Specialist, 406.444.5661

Part B/ Data and Accountability Unit

  • Vacant, Unit Manager, Part B/Data and Accountability Unit
    IDEA Part B/Preschool Allocations, E-Grants, Child Count, State Special Education Funding, State Performance Plan, Annual Performance Report
  • Vacant, 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, eGrants, Special Education Data Collections, Federal Reporting, School Discipline
  • Jan Duiker, Data and Accountability Specialist,  406.444.7432
    AIM, General Data Requests, Post-School Survey

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
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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 July 2012
Schedule by District July 2012
Monitoring Identified Noncompliance Frequency Chart
Tips from the OPI Monitors
Students With Unique Concerns (SWUC) form
SWUC Timelines for Correction
2012 Record Review
District Record Review
Timelines for Correction - Updated July 2012

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
OSERS Private School Q & A April 2011
Private Schools Memo

Advisory Panel


Members

Private School Representative
Carolyn Prill
Great Falls Central Catholic High School
Great Falls, MT 59405

Regular Classroom Teacher
Lora Griffin
Teacher
Whitehall Elementary
Whitehall, MT 59759

Parent Of A Child With Disabilities
Marilyn Davis
Great Falls, MT 59401
Diana Tavary
Helena, MT 59602
Theresa Baldry
Miles City, MT 59301
Lily Wahl
Dutton, MT 59433

Higher Education that Prepares
Special Education and Related
Services Personnel
Robert Stansberry
Associate Professor of Education
Carroll College
Helena, MT 59602

Teacher of Children with Disabilities
Doug Dellwo
CR Anderson School
Helena, MT 59601

Special Education Program Administrator
Vaughn Kauffman
Special Education Director
Prickly Pear Cooperative
East Helena, MT 59635

State/Local Administrator
Dave Marzolf
Superintendent
Sun River Valley Schools
Simms, MT 59477

State Child Welfare Agency Responsible for Foster Care
Dawn Piazzi
Helena, MT 59604-8005

Vocational, Community, or Business Concerned with the Provision of Transition Services to Children with Disabilities
Marvin Williams
Director of Education Intermountain
Helena, MT 59601

Representative From Juvenile & Adult Corrections
Sharon Tregidga
Chief Probation Officer
1st Judicial District
Helena, MT 59601

Part C/IDEA Representative
Wendy Studt
Part C Coordinator
Community Services Bureau
Developmental Disabilities Program
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services
Helena, MT 59604

Representatives of other state agencies involved in the financing or delivery of Related Services to Children with Disabilities
Jim Marks
Disability Transitions Programs Director
Montana Department of Public Health
and Human Services
Helena, MT 59601

Representative of Subtitle B of Title VII of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
Chris Bilant
Federal Projects Director
Kalispell School District #5
Kalispell, MT 59901

Legislator
Edith L. McClafferty
Representative
Butte, MT 59701-5014

Student
Tia Davis
Clancy, MT 59634

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Upcoming Meetings

June 27, 2013
The State Special Education Advisory Panel will meet in Helena on Thursday, June 27, 2013,
8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., at Jorgensons’ Inn & Suites, Room 156, 1714 11th Avenue.
The meetings are open to the public. Any individual who plans on attending the meeting and in
need of accommodations for a disability should notify Marlene Wallis at the Office of Public
Instruction 406.444.2504. Public Comments may be submitted, prior to the meeting, in
writing to Marlene Wallis, Office of Public Instruction, PO Box 202501, Helena, Montana 59620‐
2501, or by e‐mail at mwallis@mt.gov.

September 26‐27, 2013
The State Special Education Advisory Panel will meet in Helena on Thursday, September 26,
2013, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., and Friday, September 27, 2013, from 8:30 a.m. – Noon, at
Jorgensons’ Inn & Suites, Room 156, 1714 11th Avenue.
The meetings are open to the public. Any individual who plans on attending the meeting and in
need of accommodations for a disability should notify Marlene Wallis at the Office of Public
Instruction 406.444.2504. Public Comments may be submitted, prior to the meeting, in
writing to Marlene Wallis, Office of Public Instruction,

May 2-3, 2013
The combined Advisory Panel meeting with the Comprehensive System of Professional Development (CSPD), Part C, Vocational Rehabilitation and Parents, Let’s Unite for Kids (PLUK) will be held at Carroll College, Campus Center (Student Union), 1601 N Benton Avenue, Thursday, May 2, 2013, from 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The Panel will meet on Friday, May 3, 2013, from 8:30 a.m.- Noon, at Jorgenson’s Inn & Suites, Room 156, 1720 11th Avenue
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.

January 17-18, 2013
The State Special Education Advisory Panel will meet in Helena on Thursday, January 17, 2013, 8:30
a.m. – 4:00 p.m., and Friday, January 18, 2013, from 8:30 a.m. – Noon, at Jorgensons Inn & Suites, Room
156, 1714 11th Avenue.
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 13-14, 2012
The State Special Education Advisory Panel will meet in Helena on Thursday, September 13, 2012 , 8:30  a.m. – 4:30 p.m., and Friday, September 14, 2012, 8:30 a.m. – Noon at the School Administrators of Montana Meeting Room, 900 N. Montana Ave., Ste. A-4. This is the Panel’s first  meeting for the 2012-2013 school year.

June 26, 2012
The State Special Education Advisory Panel will meet in Helena on Tuesday, June 26, 2012, 8:30
a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Jorgensons Inn & Suites, Room 156, 1714 11th Avenue. This is the Panel’s final
meeting for the 2011‐2012 school year.

September 13-14, 2012
The Montana Special Education Advisory Panel will meet in Helena on Thursday, September 13, 2012, and
on Friday, September 14, 2012. This is the Panel’s first meeting for the 2012-2013 school year. The times
and location will be posted prior to the meeting.

May 3-4, 2012
The Montana Special Education Advisory Panel will meet in Helena at Jorgensons Inn & Suites, 1714 11th
Avenue, Thursday, May 3, 2012, from 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., and on Friday, May 4, 2012, from 8:30 a.m. -
Noon. Thursday afternoon, May 3, 2012, will be a combined meeting with the Comprehensive System of
Professional Development (CSPD).

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.

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
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

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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

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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