Proudly serving Eastern Montana and beyond
Each one Reach one
CSPD events will be hosted on the OPI website. OPI will also be handling evaluations and renewal units. Thank you
Here is the link to the OPI training calendar.
REGISTER HERE https://sites.google.com/opiconnect.org/cspdtrainingcalendar/statewide-events
Increasing and Improving your Data Literacy & Team Initiated Problem Solving
November 7 8:30-3:30 with Sheila Lovato Data Literacy AM/TIPS PM Please attend the session(s) that benefit you.
Sidney Richland Co Extension office In-person event
Building Data Literacy: Practical Strategies for Everyday Use
Training Description:
This hands-on training empowers classroom educators to confidently explore, manage, and use data to inform instruction and improve student outcomes. Designed with simplicity and practicality in mind, the session introduces foundational data literacy concepts and walks educators through easy-to-implement strategies for collecting, analyzing, and applying data in their daily teaching routines. Whether you're new to data or looking to refine your skills, this training offers tools and techniques that fit seamlessly into classroom practice.
Training Objectives:
By the end of the training, participant will be able to:
Define the Core Elements of Data Literacy
Apply Data to Instructional Decision-Making
Streamline Data Practices for Efficiency
Use data to engage in continuous improvement
TIPS Training Description
This interactive training invites educators and school teams to discover the Team Initiated Problem Solving (TIPS) framework, a practical, hands-on approach for turning student data into meaningful action. Through engaging activities, real-world scenarios, and collaborative exercises, participants will experience how TIPS streamlines meetings, sparks creative solutions, and fosters a culture of shared problem-solving. You'll not only learn how to use data to pinpoint challenges and track progress but also build powerful team skills that make every meeting purposeful and productive. Join us to learn practical tools you can apply right away, build your confidence in leading team initiatives, and connect with peers. You'll leave with strategies to support measurable improvements in student outcomes.
Training Objectives
By the end of the training, participants will be able to:
Define TIPS framework and its role in team-based decision making.
Establish effective meeting foundations
Use data to identify and analyze problems
Develop and implement contextually fit solutions
As always all are free, offer OPI renewal units, and are for all who are interested, Admin, Instructional Coaches, educators, Paras, Special Educators, parents, and more.
The training calendar for registration and session information
https://sites.google.com/opiconnect.org/cspdtrainingcalendar/statewide-events
I want to share some exciting news. The Institute for Neurodiversity at Montana State University Billings’ (MSUB) Montana Center for Inclusive Education (MCIE) is launching virtual support groups for neurodiverse individuals, their families and caregivers starting in November. Our hope is that you will share this information within your organization and beyond. We would like to get this information out to as many people as we can.
There will be two virtual support groups meeting each month. The Youth and Young Adult (ages 14 to 27) will meet the first Monday of each month from 6:00 to 7:00PM starting November 3. The Support Systems Group (parents, siblings, guardians, etc.) will meet on the third Monday of every month from 6:00 to 7:00PM starting November 17. I have attached the flyers for each of the support groups. There is a QR code on each flyer for people to register for the support groups.
Each month’s sessions revolve around topics to get discussions started. Here are each group’s sessions:
Student Group
Week 1: Get to know – Introductions – Interests and Hobbies
Week 2: Social Expectations
Week 3: Relationships
Week 4: Life Skills
Week 5: Employment and Career
Week 6: Safety
Week 7: Wrap up: Experience, what we learned
Caregiver Group
Week 1: Get to know – Introductions – Emotional support/struggles
Week 2: Behavior Management
Week 3: Communication skills
Week 4: Self-help skills
Week 5: School and community services and resources
Week 6: Practical guidance
Week 7: Wrap up: Experience, what we learned
The facilitators for the group are Kelsey Osmond and Dwight Welch. Kelsey is a licensed mental health counselor at MSUB Student Health Services and has a private mental health practice for the Billings area. Dwight Welch is an ordained pastor in the United Church of Christ and the MSUB United Campus Ministries chaplain. He is the sponsor of the MSUB Autism Club and speaks often of his experience as an individual on the Autism Spectrum. Both are excited to begin this adventure of building a virtual neurodiverse community in Eastern Montana.
If you have questions about the support groups or what to learn more, please contact either Kelsey (kelsey.osmond@msubillings.edu) or Dwight (dwight.welch@msubillings.edu). They would love to answer any questions.
I do hope that you will share this information throughout your organization. We are excited to kick this off in November. If there are any questions you might have for me, please contact me at the information below. Thank you for helping us in this endeavor.
John Keener
Interim Director
Montana Center for Inclusive Education
Montana State University Billings
john.keener@msubillings.edu
406-657-1743
The Montana Autism Education Project (MAEP) is a statewide initiative housed within the Special Education Professional Development Unit at the Montana Office of Public Instruction. Launched in 2010, the MAEP was created in response to a growing number of technical assistance and training requests from schools supporting students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Since that time, the MAEP has expanded its scope to address the evolving needs of educators working with students across a range of developmental and behavioral profiles. Today, the project offers comprehensive services including individual and classroom consultations, coaching and capacity building programs, professional development opportunities, conference scholarships, and a virtual library with resources, research, and field tools for educators. The MAEP remains committed to building educator capacity, promoting inclusive practices, and enhancing outcomes for all students.
All trainings provided by MAEP are free to Montana Public School Educators and Service Providers.
For more information, please contact Katie Mattingley at katie.mattingley@mt.gov.
MYT Conference
November 12-14
Copper King Convention Center
Butte , Montana
Free Support for Families of Children with Disabilities
Families of children and young adults with disabilities across Montana have access to free, confidential support through the Montana Empowerment Center, the state’s federally funded Parent Training and Information Center.
Our mission is to empower, encourage, and educate families so they can make informed choices and advocate effectively for their children ages 0-26,” said Heidi Gibson, Executive Director at the Montana Empowerment Center.
In addition to in-person workshops, the Center also offers webinars and a wide range of parent-friendly resources on its website.
Empower Hour webinars 11:30am-12:30pm (with Q&A at the end):
● Oct 9: Alternatives to Guardianship with Theresa & Isaac Baldry, Rural Institute
● Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/the-montana-empowerment-center-70215974153