CARES Team Services

Consultation and Technical Assistance (TA) Services

The consultation and technical assistance services provided by the CARES team follows a multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) model for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) services. Educational teams are supporting students with a wide range of academic and language abilities, including those performing at, above, or below grade level.

 

Tier 1

Core Universal Interventions

Core Universal Interventions

Consultants recommend and offer training to public school staff on these preventative and proactive interventions that should be available to all students. Consultants provide recommendations and accommodations to ensure equitable access.

These teams receive up to 10 hours of consultative and technical assistance support from CARES.

Tier 2

Targeted Interventions

Targeted Group Interventions

These teams receive between 10 – 25 hours of consultative and technical assistance support from CARES.

Tier 3

Intensive Interventions

Intensive, Individualized Interventions

These teams currently receive over 25 hours of consultative and technical assistance support.

CARES Team Tiers of Service, Explained

This model aligns with the Educational Service Guidelines for students who are DHH developed by the National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE). The NASDSE guidelines were created in partnership with a project through the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs.

TIER 1 SERVICES MAY INCLUDE:

  • Communication with student team (e.g.school staff, clinical providers, student, and family)
  • Record review
  • Development of Technical Assistance plan
  • Review of school acoustic checklist
  • Environmental Walk-Through
  • At-A-Glance student hearing profile information
  • Access accommodations and resources
  • Equipment troubleshooting
  • Team meeting participation
  • Self-Advocacy Peer Group participation
  • Self-Advocacy educational team resources

Services for Tier 1 are remote, and provided virtually.

TIER 2 SERVICES MAY INCLUDE:

Tier 1 Services plus:

  • Virtual/in-person support of hearing assistive technology
  • Monitoring and implementation of use of hearing assistive technology
  • Facilitation of VT Communication Plan
  • Transition planning
  • Increased meeting frequency and communication with student team
  • Virtual/in-person as needed observations

TIER 3 SERVICES MAY INCLUDE:
Tier 1 and Tier 2 Services plus:

  • Assessment selection and interpretation for educational teams
  • Monthly meeting participation
  • Increased assistance with equipment and/or clinical communication
  • Residential or day program consultation
  • Support for the educational team to access direct service providers including assisting in the selection of qualified candidates
  • Expanded training and consultation around best practices in DHH education

CARES continues to ensure equitable access for students with hearing loss in Vermont and assists in building capacity for Vermont public schools.

CARES specialized services include:

  • Psycho-educational evaluations.
  • Counseling through technical assistance consultation.
  • Speech and language evaluations for students who are DHHDB.
  • Support with understanding assessments for students who are DHHDB.

If you’re interested in accessing these services, please ask your CARES Team consultant.