Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 111 Part 1.djvu/176

 Ill STAT. 152 PUBLIC LAW 105-17-JUNE 4, 1997 "SEC. 684. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR PARENT TRAINING AND INFORMATION CENTERS. "(a) IN GENERAL,—The Secretary may, directly or through awards to eHgible entities, provide technical assistance for developing, assisting, and coordinating parent training and information programs carried out by parent training and information centers receiving assistance under sections 682 and 683. "(b) AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES.— The Secretary may provide technical assistance to a parent training and information center under this section in areas such as— "(1) effective coordination of parent training efforts; "(2) dissemination of information; "(3) evaluation by the center of itself; "(4) promotion of the use of technology, including assistive technology devices and assistive technology services; "(5) reaching underserved populations; "(6) including children with disabilities in general education programs; "(7) facilitation of transitions from— "(A) early intervention services to preschool; "(B) preschool to school; and "(C) secondary school to postsecondary environments; and "(8) promotion of alternative methods of dispute resolution. 20 USC 1485. "SEC. 686. COORDINATED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND DISSEMINA- TION. "(a) IN GENERAL. —The Secretary shall, by competitively making grants or entering into contracts and cooperative agreements with eligible entities, provide technical assistance and information, through such mechanisms as institutes, Regional Resource Centers, clearinghouses, and programs that support States and local entities in building capacity, to improve early intervention, educational, and transitional services and results for children with disabilities and their families, and address systemic-change goals and priorities. "(b) SYSTEMIC TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE; AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES.— "(1) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall carry out or support technical assistance activities, consistent with the objectives described in subsection (a), relating to systemic change. "(2) AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES.— Activities that may be carried out under this subsection include activities such as the following: "(A) Assisting States, local educational agencies, and other participants in partnerships established under subpart 1 with the process of planning systemic changes that will promote improved early intervention, educational, and transitional results for children with disabilities. "(B) Promoting chsmge through a multistate or regional framework that benefits States, local educational agencies, and other participsints in partnerships that are in the process of achieving systemic-change outcomes. "(C) Increasing the depth and utility of information in ongoing and emerging areas of priority need identified by States, local educational agencies, and other participants

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