20 U.S.C. § 1491k — Technical assistance

(a) In general

The Secretary shall make grants, or enter into contracts or cooperative agreements, with appropriate public or private agencies and organizations, including institutions of higher education, with documented experience, expertise, and capacity, for the purpose of providing technical assistance and information with respect to the development and implementation, or expansion and enhancement, of a statewide system of family support for families of children with disabilities.

(b) Purpose

With respect to States receiving assistance under this subchapter, the technical assistance and information described under subsection (a) of this section shall be provided to the State agency designated as the lead entity, the Council, family members of children with disabilities, organizations, service providers, and policymakers involved with children with disabilities and their families. Such technical assistance shall also be available to States that do not receive assistance under this subchapter. Such technical assistance and information shall—

(1) facilitate effective systems change activities;

(2) promote effective approaches to the development and implementation, or expansion and enhancement of, the statewide systems of family support for families of children with disabilities that increase access to, funding for, and awareness of family support for families of children with disabilities;

(3) promote partnerships with families at all levels of the service system;

(4) foster awareness and understanding of Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, policies, practices, procedures, and organizational structures, that facilitate, and overcome barriers to, funding for, and access to family support for families of children with disabilities;

(5) foster the development and replication of effective approaches to strategic plan development, interagency coordination, training, outreach to underserved groups, and public awareness activities;

(6) facilitate service delivery capacity, training, and the improvement of data collection and evaluation systems;

(7) promote effective approaches to the development of family-centered and family-directed services, including approaches to the development and measurement of family-centered outcomes described in section 1491h(b)(2) of this title, and the assessment of family satisfaction; and

(8) coordinate and facilitate an annual meeting of the chairpersons of the Councils.

A request for technical assistance by a lead entity in a State receiving assistance under this subchapter shall be made in conjunction with the Council.

(d) Reports to Secretary

An entity providing the technical assistance under this section shall submit periodic reports to the Secretary regarding Federal policies and procedures identified within the States that facilitate or impede the delivery of family support to families of children with disabilities. The report shall include recommendations to the Secretary regarding the delivery of services, coordination with other programs, and integration of the policies and principles described in section 1491a of this title in other Federal legislation.