Institutionwide projects (IWPs) allow State agencies (SAs) that provide free public education for children and youth who are neglected or delinquent (N or D) to use Title I, Part D, Subpart 1 funds in coordination with other Federal funds and/or State funds to serve all students in the SA's institution or program. IWPs allow an SA to upgrade the entire educational and transition efforts of its institution or program by enabling it to:

• Focus on adopting strategies that aim to improve the overall educational program of an institution, rather than providing add-on services for individual students;
• Combine Title I, Part D, Subpart 1 funds with other State and Federal funds for education programs to support comprehensive approaches that meet the educational needs of all children and youth in N or D institutions;
• Conduct a more targeted evaluation of a facility’s needs in terms of educating and supporting its students and staff;
• Provide the opportunity for focused and sustained professional development for all facility staff; and
• Use Title I, Part D, Subpart 1 funds more flexibly.

NDTAC's Planning and Implementing Institutionwide Projects brief is designed specifically for administrators of State Title I, Part D, programs who work within State education agencies (SEAs) or SAs. The brief provides an overview of IWPs and their benefits for Part D programs, key steps administrators need to consider when creating and operating an IWP, and common mistakes made in the implementation process. Additionally, the brief includes examples and tools that can be adapted by administrators to assist in the implementation effort. The information throughout this brief will help administrators who are interested in implementing IWPs for the first time, as well as those who are currently operating IWPs.

The body of the brief is divided into four main sections:

1. Introduction to Institutionwide Projects
   This section provides basic information about operating IWPs within State-run facilities for youth who are N or D. It discusses the benefits of and statutory criteria for IWPs as well as the requirements that administrators of IWP programs should be prepared to address.
2. Planning for Institutionwide Projects
   In this section, the brief addresses the processes involved in adequately planning for IWP implementation. It focuses on the four main steps involved in completing a comprehensive needs assessment and writing an IWP plan.
3. Implementing Institutionwide Projects
   Realizing that each facility will implement an IWP according to its own established needs, goals, and plan, this section provides information on two areas all facilities will want to engage in as part of IWP implementation: professional development and monitoring/evaluation.
4. Common Pitfalls in Operating Institutionwide Projects
   The fourth section of the brief identifies several areas in the process of planning for and implementing IWPs where facilities often run into problems and offers preliminary measures facilities should focus on to ensure that IWPs are implemented appropriately and effectively.

A final section in the brief offers several tools facilities can adapt to meet their planning and implementation needs when running an IWP.

Published September 2009

• Title I, Part D, State Coordinator's Orientation Handbook — 2008 Edition
• Professional Development Module: A Guide to the Title I, Part D, State-Level Coordinator's Role
• Title I, Part D, Law
• Title I, Part D, Nonregulatory Guidance

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