(1) The Department of Education shall make available technical assistance to eligible applicants, as defined in ORS 327.185, and to recipients of a grant from the Student Investment Account. The technical assistance shall include the provision of assistance with:
(a) Strategic planning for the use of grant moneys;
(b) Developing an application for a grant from the Student Investment Account; and
(c) Identifying and implementing promising practices related to a grant agreement.
(2) When providing technical assistance, the department shall:
(a) Apply a process adopted by the department to strategically develop equitable policies and programs; and
(b) Ensure that technical assistance is based on the eligible applicant’s or grant recipient’s specific needs and demographics.
(3) For the purpose of providing technical assistance under this section, the department may enter into contracts with entities the department determines are qualified to provide the technical assistance.