VIDBE-Q Volume 67 Issue 4
Competencies for Interveners
In 2021-2022, NCDB participated in updating the Council for Exceptional
Children's (CEC's) competencies for Specialty Set: Education Paraeducator
Intervener for Individuals With Deafblindness (PDBI). For this process, interveners
were recruited to collaborate with NCDB staff, state deaf-blind projects, and
experts in the field in a work group to conduct research and make suggestions to
revise "Standard 7: Collaboration" of the competencies. Support for Certification
NCDB's 2012 recommendations called for expanding opportunities for
interveners to obtain a state or national certificate or credential that would allow
them to demonstrate their attainment of the CEC's intervener competencies. Like
the OHOA modules, the NICE System was designed using a collaborative
approach that involved interveners, state deaf-blind project personnel, and
university experts. It is managed by the PARAprofessional Resource and Research
Center (PAR
2
A Center) at the University of Colorado. The NICE process involves
reviewers who are required to meet criteria regarding expertise related to
intervener services and working with students who are deaf-blind.
NCDB supports the NICE digital platform so the PAR
2
A Center, reviewers,
and users can effectively navigate the interface. Additionally, NCDB provides
consultation and training to state deaf-blind projects that support candidates
pursuing NICE certification. An advisory board consisting of family leaders, adults
