Technical Assistance Support Centers (TASC's)
Sixteen Technical Assistance Support Centers (TASC's) have been established to provide intensive on-site technical assistance and other services to grantees in areas where they have special needs, initiatives, or problems. Regions I, III, VII through X, and the Indian and Migrant programs each have one TASC. The remaining large regions have two. All of the TASC's are in place except for the one serving Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, which will be funded in February 1994.
Each TASC is managed on a day-to-day basis by a Regional Office TASC Coordinator who is the contact person for grantees in the TASC service area.
Each TASC will:
- Identify and train a pool of 75 locally based consultants throughout the TASC service area.
These consultants will have the expertise and experience to assist Head Start grantees in each of the four component areas of health, social services, parent involvement, and education, as well as in management;
- Provide intensive, on-site technical assistance to grantees that have special needs, initiatives, or problems, with a special focus on effectively meeting the Head Start Program Performance Standards or other requirements.
The Regional TASC Coordinator will facilitate requests for assistance from grantees;
- Assist the Regional Office in planning and implementing two conferences annually for grantees.
One conference will focus on critical national or regional issues related to Head Start initiatives and requirements, with technical assistance on Child Development Associate (CDA) credentials and the training guides to be produced by the National Training Contracts (NTC's). The other conference will focus on financial management issues;
- Provide an annual orientation conference for new grantees, new directors, and new component coordinators;
- Assist grantees in planning and managing their own training and technical assistance;
- Provide opportunities for grantees and consultants to learn about the work of the NTC's and the training guides they will produce;and
- Provide assistance to grantees in meeting the CDA requirements.
The TASC's which serve the American Indian and Migrant programs have two additional responsibilities:
- Assist grantees in meeting the needs of children with disabilities, and
- Adapt selected materials produced by the NTC's for American Indians and Migrant populations.
The TASC for Region X will operate a satellite center in Alaska to serve all Alaskan Head Start grantees. The satellite center will manage a consultant pool, provide on-site technical assistance, and conduct one annual statewide conference. American Indian Program Branch grantees in Alaska will also have the opportunity to participate in services offered by the TASC for Indian grantees, such as teleconferencing and conferences.
To access on-site technical assistance, contact your Regional Office TASC Coordinator.
To access other TASC services or information, contact the TASC that serves your State.