Regional Assessment and Support Teams

Pennsylvania has three Regional Assessment and Support Teams (RAST), one each located in the western, central, and eastern parts of the state. The RAST units are comprised of certified special education staff and a school psychologist or contracted specialists. The teams are coordinated by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Bureau of Special Education. Each correctional institution is supported by one of the three Regional Assessment and Support Teams, which provide technical assistance, in-service training, related services, compliance monitoring of correctional institutions, and psychological assessments as needed. The RAST units meet monthly with the PDE, BSE, and the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections Education to coordinate and standardize all special education programs and services at the institutional level.

When a special education student is placed in an institution, the teacher receives support from the institution's RAST unit. In addition to the services noted above, the following RAST units provide technical assistance for screening, identification, IEP development, and related services for special education students.

W-RAST
Kathleen DeSantis
              724-898-1211       
Kathy_DeSantis@miu4.k12.pa.us

Carmie Goclano
              724-656-7426       
Carmie_goclano@miu4.k12.pa.us

E-RAST
Terri L. Pflueger
              570-874-1412       
tlp@stcenters.org

C-RAST
Roni Russell
              717-541-4960        x 3314
rrussell@pattan.net

Corey C. Dickey
              717-541-4960        x 3311
cdickey@pattan.net