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More Information About the Region 3 Low Incidence Project
Region 3 is a very large geographic area with vast distances between school districts. In this remote area of the state it is often difficult to attract, retain or replace teachers with specialized expertise and licensure/certification in the low incidence areas in this remote area of the state.
The Region 3 Low Incidence Facilitator (RLIF) and the Special Education Directors annually review LI disability area child count and specific district student needs to determine the best scenario to provide a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) for their students with LI disabilities in their Least Restrictive Environment (LRE). It has been determined, in Region 3, the most cost effective format to meet these students' educational needs, is indirect service provided by educational staff employed by the LI Project. Districts requiring direct service for their students purchase FTEs of that teacher's time. The Directors and Superintendents have stated this format provides immediate access to highly qualified licensed educators to provide support and assistance when a child with LI disabilities moves into their community along with the flexibility required as their districts' needs change.
The LI Project employs a .66 FTE Regional Low Incidence Facilitator, 2.0 FTE Educational Audiologists, 2.16 FTE teachers of B/VI, Orientation & Mobility Specialist, 1.0 teacher of PH/D., 1.0 Certified Braillist, and a 1.0 FTE Program Support Assistant. The LI project contracts with a local district for a .5 ASD Consultant to support regional districts as they build capacity in this low incidence area.
The NESC main office is located in Mt. Iron, MN, in the north central part of the Region. Three LI staff are based in the NESC satellite office near Duluth, MN. This provides cost effective and time efficient service delivery to students, and districts, in the southern part of the Region.
Essential System Supports for Effective Services for Students, Families and Educators
The following ongoing LI Project supports have been identified as valuable by districts and families in Region 3:
· Immediate access to educators licensed in the low incidence disability areas to the districts as their students’ needs arise.
· Building capacity in districts. Regional data corroborates the continuation of the .5 contracted ASD Consultant available to districts as building teams are trained.
· District special education teachers are assisted in pursuing licensure/certification in a low incidence disability area.
· Region 3 LI Networks. In addition to each of the LI areas, Region 3 also supports Educational Interpreter/Transliterator, OT/PT, DAPE, TBI and Assistive Technology Networks.
· Representation on State LI Networks. District and regional participants share evidence based information obtained at these
meetings/trainings with the Region 3 LI Networks.
· Region 3 Lending Libraries. Each of the Region 3 Networks has a disability specific Lending Library along with the AT Lending Library. These continue to be cost effective for the districts to trial curricula, materials and AT equipment prior to purchase. Ongoing interagency cooperation with the Arrowhead Public Library System provides no cost transportation of equipment & materials to and from districts and the Region 3 LI Lending Libraries, based at NESC.
· Trainings /workshops addressing specific regional district needs.
· Distance learning technology. To increase participation at regional/state trainings, ITV is available for parents & educators.
· Parent participation. Parents of students with LI disabilities attend all regional workshops/trainings at no cost. Support is available for attendance at out of region trainings when information is shared with other parents and educational teams.
Grants hosted by the Region 3 Low Incidence Project
Goals and Initiatives
Region 3 and State Low Incidence Child Count
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