1 of 19

Informational Webinar

April 16, 2026

New DBI/Tier 3

Grant Opportunity

2 of 19

Informational Webinar

April 16, 2026

This meeting is being recorded.

Thanks, Tammy! 😉

3 of 19

DBI Grant

There is no such thing as an interruption today.

Please stop us to ask questions at any time.

4 of 19

MTSS Grant: Prior Districts

5 of 19

DBI Grant

BIG PICTURE

This new grant provides:

In-person training for district teams from American Institutes for Research (AIR)
Virtual coaching/consultation from AIR and OPI
Access to and guidance through online modules, documents, and resources for DBI and quality IEPs
$5,000 allocations for travel to training and team member stipends (with possible jump start funds for summer 2026)

6 of 19

DBI Grant

What is DBI?

DBI=Data-Based Individualization

Systematic process
Determines when and how to individualize and intensify intervention
Uses data
Targets students with severe and persistent needs
Can be used for both academic and behavioral learning

7 of 19

DBI Grant

What is DBI?

DBI=Data-Based Individualization

Most often used at Tier 3 but can be used at Tier 2
Can be used for students with or without disabilities/IEPs and RTI to SLD
Leverages intervention dosage, strength, alignment, transfer, and explicit instruction for each student
Is a natural next step for training after a strong MTSS framework is in place

8 of 19

DBI Grant

What are DBI teams?

DBI teams are small, ideally 4-6 persons
DBI teams should include representation from those who will work directly with the student both for core curriculum and the intervention as well as someone with administrative authority
For purposes of this grant work, the team should have a DBI Coordinator

9 of 19

DBI Grant

What are DBI teams?

It is strongly recommended that the team include the district or building MTSS coordinator (who could function as DBI Coordinator)
Initial team members selected should be focused on implementing DBI with one student who they each work with regularly (the student does not have to have an IEP)
There is NOT one DBI team for the district or school; teams change grade to grade, class to class, student to student

10 of 19

DBI Grant

What are DBI teams?

Special Education teacher Classroom teacher (who works in Tier 3) SPED Director MTSS/DBI Coordinator	Reading Interventionist ELA classroom teacher SPED director MTSS/DBI Coordinator
School counselor Classroom teacher Superintendent/principal combo MTSS/DBI Coordinator	Title teacher Classroom teacher School principal MTSS/DBI Coordinator
Special Education teacher Content area specialist (e.g. SLP) Lead teacher (administrator role) MTSS/DBI Coordinator	Behavior support specialist Classroom teacher School principal MTSS/DBI Coordinator

11 of 19

DBI Grant

What are Person-Centered (High-Quality)IEPs?

IEP=Individualized Education Program

Person-centered IEPs:

Encourage students and their families to actively participate in the education planning process
Emphasize interests, strengths, and needs of the student are emphasized
Help develop education goals in line with the student’s personal goals and aspirations.
Are key to transition planning (school-to-school/school-to-adult life)

12 of 19

DBI Grant

Semester 1 Highlights (TENTATIVE dates):

Between May and September: Those who have not done the OPI MTSS modules complete BIT Module 10 on Tier 3 Systems
August: DBI Orientation Webinar
September 23-24: In-person DBI training from AIR
End of September to mid-November: 2 virtual check ins, 2 short online module reinforcers, and teams working through DBI process with an individual student
November 18-19: In-person training from AIR
Early December: 1 virtual check in

13 of 19

DBI Grant

Semester 2 Highlights (TENTATIVE dates):

January to early March: 2 virtual check ins, 2 short online module reinforcers, and teams working through DBI process with an individual student
Early March: 2 day in-person training on person-centered/high-quality IEPs from AIR
April to mid-May: 2 virtual check ins, 2 short online module reinforcers, and teams working through DBI process with an individual student

14 of 19

DBI Grant

Important Notes:

Elementary and high school “districts” may not receive separate funding; an application should be completed for the school system as a whole
In-person training will be held in a central location based on DBI district locations, likely Billings for this first round

15 of 19

DBI Grant

Grant expectations for districts:

Team participation for the in-person and virtual training/check ins
Regular in-district team meetings to work through the DBI process for an actual student
Timely drawdown of funds
Fidelity and monitoring measures shared with OPI for reporting
Surveys and evaluations