The Early Childhood Outcomes Center

Integrating Child Outcomes Measurement into the IFSP/IEP Process Learning Community

Meeting NotesFebruary 13, 2013

3:30 – 4:30 p.m. Eastern (2:30 Central, 1:30 Mountain, 12:30 Pacific)

Time Topic Presenter(s)3:30 – 3:45 Introductions and announcements Megan Vinh, WRRC3:45 – 4:15 Facilitated Discussion:

Talking with Families about Outcomes Informing Families about Child and Family Outcomes (explaining the outcomes

and measurement process to families) Collecting Child and Family Outcome Data (including families in the assessment

process) Reviewing Child and Family Outcomes Data with Families (talking with families

about the child ratings and family needs)Sharing of ECO work related to Talking with Families

What else is out there? How is it working? What else is needed?

Melissa Raspa & Siobhan Colgan, ECO

4:15 – 4:20 Updates: Webinar Series – updates (Installation on 2.21.13) Workgroup Update

Kathi Gillaspy, NECTAC/ECOMegan Vinh, WRRC

4:20 – 4:30 Wrap up and next meeting reminder: Kathi Gillaspy, EC TA Center/ECO

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The Early Childhood Outcomes Center

In attendance:Cathy TydingcoEmily ChebetarJennifer Barrett-ZitkusSherry FranklinSiobhan ColganMarcus GaffneyMelissa RaspaCatherine GoodwinColleen Van DykeRuth ChvojicekMelissa SchnurrLeigh PowersPhoebe RinkleLiza SmithBrenda SigmonJill RigsbeeHeather CrosbyLenita Hartman

Kellie HornNancy SurbrookNaomi YounggrenPam MillerSharon StoneDana RomaryKate JohnsonAlice RidgewayAnne BragerKeena SimmsMaureen SullivanJennifer ZielinksiMel WoodcockLauren BartonJean SniderLise EarwoodAnne JohnsChelsea Guillen

Today’s call was facilitated by Melissa Raspa and Siobhan Colgan, ECO staff. Please note that resources that were shared in the chat box are listed at the end of the notes of the meeting. Links are provided for each resource.

Melissa presented a three section framework for the times and formats for talking with families about outcomes. Section 1 can be considered basic, and includes informing families about the outcomes at or around intake. Information that might be included at this level are what is measured, why and when. Materials might include brochures, letters and websites. Section 2 may be considered the meat of the work we do with families around outcomes. It’s the measurement of the child outcomes, including best practices for involving families in the assessment process, using the information that they provide for the measurement of outcomes and for IFSP/IEP development. Possible products might include questions to guide conversations with families, “how to” materials for providers to ensure that family information is included in the assessment, and ways to make sure family input is used in the IFSP/IEP. Section 3 includes sharing results with families, helping families understand the ratings, and the link to their child’s IFSP or IEP goals.

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The Early Childhood Outcomes Center

The first poll asked attendees to identify which Section 1 resources might be the most necessary, and what formats might be helpful. The results are below:

“Other” responses were explained in the chat box. Ruth offered that resources for families to understand the similarities and differences between the global outcomes and the child’s individualized outcomes and goals would be helpful. Phoebe offered that information about the outcomes and their relationship to school readiness would also be helpful.

Members shared resources that they have: Emily (VA) shared that VA is offering a set of trainings that will focus on talking with families about outcomes; the first will focus on the “typical” situations, and the second will focus on children for whom the ratings might be more complex (i.e. children with degenerative disorders). Alice (CT) shared that CT has a family handbook that is given to families when their child is made eligible. The link to this resource is at the end of the notes; please check page 28. CT is also creating an online module about talking with families that involves the family helping decide what the rating should be. Jennifer (IL) noted that there is often so much that is shared with the family at intake, that at times it might do well to think of many times that the outcomes can be brought to the forefront, particularly those that will help it make more sense as outcomes are integrated into the IFSP. Outcomes are rarely just one conversation with the family. Using the Decision Tree to facilitate meaningful conversations with families and newsletters (as may be found in the IL clearing house) support genuine conversations with families along the way – and that makes the difference. Phoebe (KS) shared links in the chat box from KS’ Part C program – one is the PPT from a webinar last November, and the other is the webinar itself. It supports the newly integrated KS IFSP. Pam (MD) shared that MD has their strengths and needs summary that is included in the family handbook that helps the family think about their child in terms of strengths and needs as organized by the three outcomes. Kellie (WA) shared that WA parent center has developed a parent curriculum called “Families are Important” and a manual

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The Early Childhood Outcomes Center that goes with it. It introduces child and family outcomes to families, then helps them understand IFSP outcomes in comparison to child outcomes. It also includes the integrated IFSP and the family outcomes.

The second poll asked attendees to identify which Section 2 resources might be the most necessary, and what formats might be helpful. The results are below:

The question was asked if anyone had started using an evaluation report format that included or was centered around the outcomes. Emily (VA) shared that in Norfolk, their report is by outcome rather than by domain.

Others shared work currently underway in Section 2: Sherry (NC) shared that they are in the process of creating a consistent message to providers to help them articulate outcomes to families. Several workgroups were formed (integrating outcomes, referral and intake, evaluation and assessment) to think through, among other things, how to talk with families about outcomes at each step. Leigh shared information about the integration workgroup, which was made up of local and state staff. The group has been helping to revise the form and will present and train on it this summer. The ultimate goal is to help providers think about and have natural conversations with families throughout the process.

The third poll asked attendees to identify which Section 3 resources might be the most necessary, and what formats might be helpful. The results are below:

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The Early Childhood Outcomes Center

There was general conversation about resources and information at this stage, and several resources shared in the chat box. See the end of the notes for resources.

Jennifer (IL) and Kellie(WA) shared links to work in their states related to Section 3. Emily (VA) shared that they are moving to summary statements rather than numbers in the ratings. Jennifer (IL) shared online trainings for IL. Pam (MD) shared the link to their video.

What is the most pressing need?

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The Early Childhood Outcomes Center

A question was raised by Jennifer (IL) about any resources available to talk with families about the state results (maybe this is Section 4?). Some states (VA, CT) share results on their websites.

Siobhan and Melissa will work on compiling resources shared today, possibly posting on the ECO website (with permission), and beginning the work to determine what ECO might contribute as resources related to this topic.

Next call: Wednesday, March 13th at 3:30 p.m. eastern/2:30 central/1:30 mountain/ 12:30 pacific

Topic & Group: How to articulate an integrated outcomes & IFSP/IEP process to stakeholdersPlease remember that you are welcome to attend any calls you’d like, even if it’s not your own group!

Resources from Chat Box:

Alice CT Part C: http://www.birth23.org/families/FamilyHandbookII.pdf page 28 Phoebe Rinkel: http://kskits.org/training/webinars/familyAssessmentTools/Family%20Assessment%20KSITS11.7.12.pptx Phoebe Rinkel: http://kskits.org/training/webinars/PuzzledBy_IFSP_Changes/127176270.mp3 Kellie Horn: http://www.wapave.org/Webinars/FamiliesAreImportantParticipantManualEnglish.pdf Lenita Hartman: http://www.eicolorado.org/Files/Child%20and%20Family%20Outcomes%20Information%20FAQs%201-31-11.pdf?

CFID=23807667&CFTOKEN=98924460 Kellie Horn: http://www.wapave.org/Webinars/FamiliesAreImportantParticipantManualEnglish.pdf Lenita Hartman: http://www.eicolorado.org/Files/Child%20and%20Family%20Outcomes%20Information%20FAQs%201-31-11.pdf?

CFID=23807667&CFTOKEN=98924460 Kellie Horn: We also have a brochure for families on child and family outcomes:

http://www.del.wa.gov/publications/esit/docs/ChildOu tcomes_MeasuresBrochure.pdf Lenita Hartman 2: http://www.eicolorado.org/Files/OutcomesEducationFlier_1-12.pdf Jennifer Barrett-Zitkus: here is the Illinois online training: http://www.illinoiseitraining.org/page.aspx?module=15&type=1&item=1&eventid=6170 Jennifer Barrett-Zitkus: and a second training http://www.illinoiseitraining.org/page.aspx?module=15&type=1&item=1&eventid=6153 Pam Miller: http://marylandlearninglinks.org/11695

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