Training and Technical Assistance Services in Region V

In ACF Region V, headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, STGi's Training and Technical Assistance (T/TA) Specialists help meet the needs of Head Start and Early Head Start children and families in a positive, productive environment—through visionary leadership, effective program integration, and responsible staffing.

In Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin—and for 34 Federally-recognized Tribes—STGi supports thousands of children, infants, toddlers, pregnant women, and their families through 238 Head Start and Early Head Start grantees, 7 of which received funding through the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

In addition to helping the Region V Program Office promote regional interests among the Department of Health and Human Services and other Federal agencies, STGi provides the state of Illinois with a team of Content Specialists for collaborative, statewide efforts aimed at professional development and improved services for children and families.

Our frequent partners include the Illinois Head Start State Association, the Illinois Head Start State Collaboration Office, Baby TALK and the Fussy Baby Network, the University of Illinois-Urbana Early Intervention Clearinghouse, and the University of Illinois-Chicago Center for Early Childhood Education.

STGi also provides the ACF Regional Office with a cadre of Grantee Performance Support Specialists (GPSS). In partnership with OHS Program Specialists and Fiscal Operation Specialists, STGi's highly skilled professionals operate as joint problem solvers, observers, and technical assistance consultants—helping individual Head Start and Early Head Start grantees meet all laws and standards, while enhancing collaboration with other early childhood entities at the state and local levels.

STGi's GPSS Program Manager lends management support to the Regional Office, directs the GPSS staff, and coordinates Training and Technical Assistance collaboration with other state-based T/TA offices located in Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Indiana. Recent collaborations include workshops conducted at the 2009 Region V Head Start Association Conference and other statewide and Head Start State Association conferences.

In fact, given our unwavering commitment, one might say that "Support to Grantees" is the STG in STGi.