Focused work to build capacity for state-wide workforce development is being conducted each year in up to five states that demonstrate their willingness to work with the Personnel Center by committing data, personnel and resources to their own capacity-building efforts. The Personnel Center does not charge for these services and the availability of resources for these states. States are selected each year through an application and review process.
This year, the Personnel Center is concentrating their focused work in CA, NH, NJ, MA and SC to address the need for increasing the supply of highly qualified, diverse special education personnel, and early intervention and related service providers and their assistants.
The goal of this focused work is to build capacity for workforce development in states, local school districts, personnel preparation and Part C programs. The Personnel Center seeks to work collaboratively within the selected states to strengthen states' capacities to recruit, prepare and retain these highly qualified personnel by assisting in the development of:
- a comprehensive plan for collecting and analyzing personnel data to better assist in the planning by state and local agencies to address immediate and long-term personnel shortages and
- a strategic action plan for short- and long-term workforce development.
A statewide taskforce consisting of a wide range of stakeholder groups, including parents, professional agencies and organizations is convened to meet regularly to assess personnel needs, and engage in resource mapping and problem solving activities.
Specific areas of assistance include information related to:
- traditional and alternative routes to certification;
- research-based practices that move personnel who are not fully certified into full state certification, including paraprofessionals;
- research-based practices on mentoring and induction programs; and
- current issues in personnel preparation and retention.
The following three services are also provided to each state, at no cost, through contractual agreements with experts in the field:
- training for local school district, Part C program recruitment teams, and higher education in developing and implementing their own customized, grass-roots recruitment campaign to increase the number of highly qualified persons from under-represented groups in the special education-related professions;
- on-line recruiting service memberships to Teachers-Teachers.com for 20 local school districts; and
- distributing print and media materials to recruit a comprehensive work force within the state. These materials are supported by the services of a public relations professional, provided by the Personnel Center.
If you would like to know more about the Personnel Center's focused work in states or want to apply for these services for your state, contact Dr. Phoebe Gillespie, Director, @ 703-519-3800, ext. 337.
