Overview & Purpose

Purpose
The purpose of the Comprehensive System of Personnel Development (CSPD) is to improve the quality of educational and early intervention services and programs for infants, toddlers, children, and young adults with special needs through the effective preparation and ongoing professional development of educators, service providers, and families. It is through the development and implementation of the CSPD that the goal of an adequate supply of highly qualified personnel can be realized.

Responsibility for Coordination of Connecticut’s CSPD, Part B
The Connecticut State Department of Education believes that a coordinated statewide effort is imperative. Therefore, responsibility for the coordination, development, and ongoing evaluation of the Connecticut’s CSPD has been assigned to the State Education Resource Center (SERC), formerly the Special Education Resource Center.

The State Board of Education has established the State Education Resource Center (SERC) in accordance with Section 10-76n of the Connecticut General Statutes. The Chiefs of the Bureaus of Special Education and Early Childhood, Career and Adult Education demonstrate support for the CSPD by charging SERC with responsibility for the coordination of Connecticut’s CSPD, Part B. The SERC Director has been designated the CSPD Coordinator and assumes primary responsibility for coordinating Connecticut’s CSPD Plan for Part B.

Responsibility for Coordination of Connecticut’s CSPD, Part C
The CT Birth to Three System, housed within the CT Department of Developmental Services, is responsible for coordination of the CSPD for Part C. The Training Director of CT’s Birth to Three System is designated as the Part C Coordinator and assumes primary responsibility for coordinating CT’s CSPD Plan for Part C.

CT CSPD Council
In order to ensure broad-based participation in the development, review, and periodic update of Connecticut’s CSPD, the Departments through SERC have established the Connecticut Comprehensive System of Personnel Development (CSPD) Council. The CT CSPD Council is an effort to provide one seamless system, Birth – 21, and includes representatives from a variety of constituencies and interests (e.g., general and special education, early intervention, institutions of higher education, families, state agencies, professional organizations, related services). The Council provides a forum for communication among these constituencies and others on current personnel development needs, practices, and policies.

Guiding Policies
From time to time, both the State Board of Education and the CT Birth to Three System adopt policies and procedures that influence personnel development and training and guide the CT CSPD Council. These documents can be found on the respective web sites of the Department of Education and the CT Birth to Three Program by searching www.state.ct.us/sde and www.birth23.org, respectively.