Federal Program Monitoring Support
Prepare for federal monitoring with confidence.
See detailsServices & Support
Federal Education Programs & Consulting
Walking YZ Educational Consulting Services, in partnership with MTPLC, helps school districts turn federal education requirements into practical systems that improve programs, strengthen compliance, and increase opportunities for students.
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25+ years of leadership
Federal education program experience at the state and national levels.
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18 years at Montana OPI
Former State Title I Director and Federal Programs Director.
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Virtual or onsite
$175 per hour, customized to your district. Register.
Meet your consultant
Walking YZ Educational Consulting Services
Jack O'Connor
Federal Education Program SpecialistWith more than 25 years of leadership in federal education programs, Jack O'Connor provides expert consulting services to school districts, educational leaders, and state education agencies throughout Montana and beyond.
Jack served 18 years at the Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI), where he held leadership positions including:
- State Title I Director
- School Improvement Unit Manager
- Private School Ombudsman
- Federal Programs Director
Programs overseen
- Title I, Parts A, C, and D
- Title II, Part A
- Title III
- Title IV, Part A
- Title V (RLIS)
- Title IX (McKinney-Vento Homeless Education)
Jack also served as President of the National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators, giving him extensive experience in federal policy development, program implementation, and compliance. Perhaps most importantly, Jack understands how to translate complex federal requirements into practical systems that improve teaching, learning, and student achievement.
Services offered
Individualized support for federal programs, from grant applications and monitoring to Title I program design and professional learning.
eGrants Consolidated Application Assistance
Expert help completing Montana's eGrants application.
See detailsTitle I Program Development & Improvement
Build stronger Title I programs that improve student outcomes.
See detailsGrant Application & Federal Program Support
Expert assistance with Titles I, II, III, IV-A, and V-B.
See detailsPrivate & Non-Public School Consultation
Ensure compliance with federal equitable services requirements.
See detailsTitle I Professional Learning
From Law into Practice, with a customized Title I Desk Manual.
See detailsWhat's included
Every district is different, so services are customized to your goals, staffing capacity, and local needs.
Federal Program Monitoring Support
Prepare for federal monitoring with confidence.
Services include
- Monitoring readiness assessments
- Documentation organization
- Federal forms (TransACT) assistance
- Evidence collection
- Corrective action planning
- Resolution of monitoring findings
- Long-range program improvement planning
How it works
Walking YZ provides districts with individualized support before, during, and after monitoring reviews.
eGrants Consolidated Application Assistance
Expert help completing Montana's eGrants application.
Navigating Montana's eGrants system can be time-consuming and complex. Whether your district is completing its annual Consolidated Application, responding to reviewer comments, preparing a grant amendment, or simply wants another set of experienced eyes before submission, Walking YZ can help.
Services include
- Annual Consolidated Application assistance
- Application review before submission
- Responses to reviewer comments
- Grant amendments
- Program narratives
- Budget alignment
- Federal compliance review
- General eGrants guidance
Built by someone who helped design it
Jack was directly involved in developing Montana's eGrants system while serving at OPI. He helped:
- Develop the eGrants application
- Write application questions
- Design workflows
- Create reviewer checklists
- Train hundreds of district leaders
- Present more than 150 statewide eGrants workshops
Most district applications can be reviewed or completed in approximately one hour. Larger districts or districts serving private schools may require additional time.
Title I Program Development & Improvement
Build stronger Title I programs that improve student outcomes.
Services include
- Transition from Targeted Assistance to Schoolwide Programs
- Comprehensive Needs Assessments
- MTSS integration
- Schoolwide Plan development
- Targeted Assistance Plan development
- Program implementation
- Program evaluation
- Continuous improvement planning
Grant Application & Federal Program Support
Receive expert assistance across federal programs.
Support includes
- Grant narratives
- Goal development
- Budget planning
- Staffing (FTE) alignment
- Compliance review
- Grant amendments
Programs covered
- Title I
- Title II
- Title III
- Title IV-A
- Title V-B (RLIS)
Private & Non-Public School Consultation
Ensure compliance with federal equitable services requirements.
Services include
- Consultation meeting facilitation
- Equitable share calculations
- Required documentation
- Program design
- Service implementation
- Annual evaluation
Title I Professional Learning: From Law into Practice
An interactive professional learning experience that helps districts move beyond compliance and build effective Title I programs.
Your customized Title I Desk Manual includes
- Annual timelines
- Testing procedures
- Parent communication windows
- Staff responsibilities
- Documentation systems
- Monitoring preparation tools
- Compliance checklists
- Organizational procedures
Why it matters
Participants learn practical strategies while developing the desk manual. It becomes a valuable resource for onboarding new staff, supporting leadership transitions, and maintaining consistent implementation year after year.
Why choose Walking YZ Educational Consulting?
Proven Leadership
More than two decades of experience leading federal education programs at both the state and national levels.
Practical Expertise
Jack understands not only the law, but how to implement it successfully in districts of every size.
Personalized Support
Every district is different. Services are customized to meet your goals, staffing capacity, and local needs.
Results-Focused
Sustainable systems, stronger compliance, improved student outcomes, and increased district capacity.
Consulting fees
Jack O'Connor provides both virtual and onsite consulting services.
Consulting
$175/ hour
Virtual or onsite consulting services.
Professional learning
Quoteby request
Title I: From Law into Practice workshops are priced by district size and training format. Contact us for a customized quote.
Onsite travel expenses
- Half-day travel
- $50 (4 hours or less)
- Full-day travel
- $100 (more than 4 hours)
- Mileage
- Reimbursed at the current federal mileage rate
- Meals
- Breakfast $18 · Lunch $20 · Dinner $31
Travel expenses are billed only when applicable and will be discussed in advance as part of the consulting agreement.
Ready to strengthen your federal programs?
Register for consulting and MTPLC will reach out to schedule.