Indiana Resource Network

The Indiana Resource Network (IRN) is made possible by the Indiana Department of Education's (IDOE) Indiana Resource Centers for Improvement Activities special education grants. It is comprised of six centers that provide targeted, comprehensive support to schools across the state to improve teaching and learning.

The areas addressed through the IRN include the following:

• Autism;
• Effective assessment and instruction;
• Effective evaluations;
• Effective and compliant individualized education programs (IEPs);
• Positive behavior supports; and
• Transition to adulthood.

Additionally, schools will be supported by three sole source projects that focus on the following:

• Parent training and information;
• Assistive and accessible technologies; and
• Training for teachers of students who are deaf, blind or have low vision.

The Indiana Resource Network's eCalendar was developed to share resources and information regarding technical assistance.

Further information regarding the specific resource centers and sole source projects participating in the IRN can be found below.

• Effective and Compliant IEPs Resource Center

  Focus: To increase Indiana educators' knowledge and skills that will (a) support the use of IndianaIEP, (b) provide technical assistance and professional development for Indiana educators and staff who are involved in developing IEPs and (c) support Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) in the development and use of procedures to ensure compliance and the development of high quality IEPs.

  Project Director: Jolly Piersall

   

• Effective Evaluation Resource Center

  Focus: To increase Indiana educators' use of skills that (a) ensure targeted and high quality interventions and strategies for struggling students, (b) promote the use of appropriate special education evaluation tools and methods for all students and (c) assist LEAs in the correction of noncompliance and implementation of systemic changes to prevent future noncompliance.

  Project Director: Leah Nellis, Ph.D., NCSP

   

• HANDS (Helping Answer Needs by Developing Specialists) in Autism Resource Center

  Focus: To help school professionals and personnel increase knowledge and practical application of scientifically-based academic and behavioral strategies that can improve instruction and intervention for students with autism spectrum disorders.

  Project Director: Naomi Swiezy, Ph.D., HSPP

   

• Indiana Center for Accessible Instructional Materials (ICAM)

  Focus: The Indiana Center for Accessible Instructional Materials (ICAM) is a PATINS Project managed web-based system designed to provide supports to Indiana LEAs in meeting the NIMAS regulations of the Individuals with Disabilities Improvement Act of 2004. Our mission is to partner with LEAs in securing accessible textbooks and core curriculum materials in specialized formats for qualifying students with print disabilities. The ICAM system is owned, maintained and provided to all Indiana schools by the Office of the Associate Superintendent at the Indiana Department of Education. Access to the system, technical support and professional training are provided through the ICAM and PATINS projects without a fee.

  Project Director: Daniel G. McNulty

   

• Indiana Center for Assessment and Instruction

  Focus: The Indiana Center for Assessment and Instruction (ICAI), in collaboration with the Indiana Resource Network (IRN), provides tools, training and technical assistance as schools increase student achievement, build staff capacity and align resources. Their work focuses on professional development related to Indiana assessments, Universal Design for Differentiated Instruction (UDDI), teacher leadership and Instructional Consultation Teams (ICT). Cultural responsiveness and active collaboration are embedded in all professional development offerings. Our goal is to develop a fully functioning and sustainable network of support for effective assessment and instruction in Indiana.

  Project Director: Sandi Cole, Ed.D.

   

• Indiana Deafblind Services Project

  Focus: The Indiana Deafblind Services Project is designed to improve the quality of educational services available to Indiana's infants, toddlers, children and youth who have a combined vision and hearing loss.

  Project Director: Karen Goehl

   

• IN*SOURCE

  Focus: Since 1975, the Indiana Resource Center for Families with Special Needs or IN*SOURCE has provided service to Indiana’s families of infants, toddlers, children, youth and young adults with disabilities. IN*SOURCE is a parent organization. Through the work and dedication of the Board of Directors, the staff and many volunteers, virtually all of whom are parents of persons with disabilities, IN*SOURCE, utilizing a proven parent to parent model, has provided assistance, support services and educational resources to the community of individuals and organizations that serve and support persons with disabilities. Through the provision of information, training, individual assistance and support, they worked to help countless families confront the complexities and challenges of having a loved one with special needs. IN*SOURCE celebrates the accomplishments of individuals with disabilities and their families and affirms their ongoing commitment to them.

   

• Indiana Secondary Transition Resource Center

  Focus: To create and enhance professional development activities and resources in order to build capacity to improve school and post-school outcomes. The center's work focuses on student-focused planning activities and self-determination skill development; improved Transition IEPs and use of transition assessments; access to effective academic and life-skills instruction, quality work-based learning; interagency collaboration; and family involvement.

  Project Director: Teresa Grossi, Ph.D.

   

• Pass Project: Promoting Achievement for Students with Sensory Loss

  Focus: To provide professional development opportunities for educators that will improve instructional quality, promote academic achievement and foster successful post-secondary transition outcomes for students with sensory loss.

  Project Director: Karen Goehl

   

• PATINS Project

  Focus: The PATINS Project is a state-wide technical assistance network that provides accessible technology for assisting LEAs in the utilization and creation of accessible learning environments and instructional materials. As a sole source provider for the Indiana Department of Administration and the Indiana Department of Education, the PATINS Project provides a complete state NIMAS delivery process, inclusive of assistive and accessible technologies, designed to support the Indiana Department of Education and LEAs in addressing the statutory and final regulatory requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004.

  Project Director: Daniel G. McNulty

   

• PBIS Indiana: Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports Resource Center

  Focus: To develop and establish a statewide network of culturally responsive school-wide positive behavior support sites and increase educators' knowledge and understanding of how PBIS impacts student achievement, family engagement, dropout rate and least restrictive environment placements.

  Project Co-Directors: Russ Skiba, Ph.D. and Sandi Cole, Ed.D.