OPI Summer Institute June 15-18, 2026
MSU Campus - Bozeman, MT
We have posted an updated Program Narrative Template for Districts and Cooperatives. Please use this template to build your own district program narrative. If you have already submitted your draft for review to Kimber, you do not need to resubmit. You can update and make any corrections after it has been reviewed. Reviews of submitted Program Narratives are happening now!
Questions regarding the Program Narrative, please contact Kimber Emmons at 406-444-3124 or at kimberlea.emmons@mt.gov.
 |
|
Montana Autism Education Project
The OPI Montana Autism Education Project offers free autism trainings, technical assistance, and student consultations to Montana public schools.
Statewide Coordinator of the MAEP: Katie Mattingley
|
Upcoming MAEP Professional Development on Transition:
January 28-29, 2026 | Join us for a virtual, two-day (8:30-3:30) training designed to equip Montana educators with practical strategies to support secondary and post-secondary students through effective transition planning.
Participants will explore student-centered assessments and evidence-based practices that increase student independence across school, personal, and community routines preparing learners for successful, fulfilling adult lives. This interactive training highlights resources to design meaningful transition plans that align with each student’s post-secondary goals in collaboration with the educational team.
Attendees will learn how to coordinate and deliver targeted transition activities that foster employability, independent living, and self-determination, helping students make measurable progress toward life after graduation.
All Montana educators who attend will receive access to FREE STAR Autism Support tools and resources to extend learning and implementation after the workshop.
Online | Feb.11 @ 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Plan and adapt student goals through school transitions with strategies that build functional skills and independence.
Treatment goals that are set for the individuals we work with often vary depending on, their age, 'ability' and who creates their goals. As learners develop, their skill sets expand and evolve creating the need to reassess these goals. This talk looks at the challenges transitioning presents from one age to the next and discusses planning for teaching functional skills. We will also look at how behavior analysts can use the principles of our applied science to define, apply, and facilitate success across variable settings encountered in adolescence.
Learner Objectives
- Define the population, and challenges for achieving independence
- Identify role of the behavior analyst within the adolescent population in transition
- Evaluate social significance of skills and provide examples of functional lessons
Teaching & Learning Fractions through Discovery and Reasoning Grades 3-6
Presented by Dori Phillips
Two opportunities and locations for this one-day training:
|
 |
|
Presented by Wayne Callender, EdS
Friday, January 23, 2026 | 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM | Hampton Inn Kalispell, MT
|
Presented by Stephanie Lester
Wednesday January 28, 2026 | 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM | Hampton Inn Kalispell, MT
Presented by Dr. Keith Radley
Two upcoming opportunities and locations for this one day training:
Presented by Cari Ebert
Thursday, February 19, 2026 | 5:00 - 7:00 PM | VIRTUAL
 Special Education Professional Development
OPI has contracted with LRP Publications for Montana’s use of their LRP Direct Step online professional learning modules for Montana districts. Access to these modules is available to all Montana public school employees for FREE!
Create an account and start accessing the LRP Modules today.
Licensed educators can receive OPI Professional Learning Units for modules designed for teachers and administrators, to receive PLUs, please complete this form.
Special Education Paraprofessionals:
The OPI Special Education Team and Dawson Community College are excited to celebrate the growing success of the Para Pathways Project!
LEVEL 1: If you are currently working in a special education role for all or part of your day and interested in professional growth, you qualify for the incentive pay ($20/module) for the Special Education Technician set of modules. Completion of the identified 40 modules is also one of the pre-requisites to entering Dawson Community College’s (DCC) Special Education Technician Level 2 courses.
LEVEL 2: Take and pass 4 courses (13 credits) at Dawson Community College. Qualified paras are eligible for tuition payment via OPI, provided they meet the qualifications and have worked for at least 1,000 hours in a Montana public school with students with disabilities for a portion of their day.
Find more information the Para Pathways Project on our website. For any questions regarding the Special Education Technician program, please contact DCCParaPathways@dawson.edu or Anne.Carpenter2@mt.gov.
"EMPOWER HOUR" Spring Webinar Series
REGISTER HERE: Eventbrite link
-
Wednesday, February 18- 12:00pm Navigating SSI for Transition Aged Teens- Tiffany Costa, MSUB Work Incentives and Assistance Program
The nuts and bolts of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for youth with disabilities for the transition to adulthood (over age 16).
-
Wednesday, March 18- 12:00pm The Road Ahead: High School Transition to Adulthood - Montana Empowerment Center
Participants will explore IEP Transition requirements, adult service options, and strategies to support self-advocacy, independence and successful outcomes after high school.
-
Wednesday, April 15- 12:00pm Executive Function and Behaviors - Carla Miller, PhD, South Dakota Parent Connection
How executive function skills affect children's behavior and daily challenges. You will learn simple, practical strategies to support regulation, organization and positive behavior.
-
Wednesday, May 13- 12:00pm Financial Trusts and MATL Loans - Melissa Hoffman, RDI Financial
Learn about financial trusts and low interest loans for assistive equipment.
|
Financial Assistance from Children's Special Health Services
Children’s Special Health Services (CSHS) can provide up to $2,000 per year in financial assistance for treatment, enabling services, and/or items for qualified Children and Youth with Special Healthcare Needs (CYSHCN), aged birth to 21. If your child is uninsured or underinsured, you might qualify for assistance. Please review the eligibility information below and contact us if you have questions. Applicants may receive partial or complete funding on a case-by-case basis as determined by the Financial Assistance Review Committee.
To be eligible for CSHS Financial Assistance, a child or youth:
- Age birth through 21 (up to 22nd birthday)
- Has or is at increased risk for a chronic physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional condition, and also,
- Requires health and related services of a type or amount beyond that required by children generally
- Is a resident of the state of Montana and either a U.S. citizen or a qualified alien as defined under federal statute
- Must be enrolled in Healthy Montana Kids (MT Medicaid or CHIP), if eligible
- Must be at or below 300% Federal Poverty Level, check below to determine if your family is eligible
Application link for CSHS Financial Assistance
The OPI is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation, require an alternate format, or have questions concerning accessibility, contact the OPI ADA Coordinator, 406-444-3161, opiada@mt.gov, Relay Service: 711.
|
