Technical assistance is available on an as-needed basis.
Community training and technical assistance activities are geared to the training needs of policy makers, administrators, direct service providers, advocacy organizations, and consumers. Training activities are designed to increase awareness, knowledge, and skills regarding recommended practices in the field of developmental disabilities and to promote policy development and systems change at state and local levels. Activities include an emphasis on the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities from minority populations, those living in poverty, and those living in rural areas. In FY 98-99, IDS provided 665 hours of outreach training to 5,279 participants and 3,959 hours of technical assistance to 7,887 participants.