Building a National Collaborative Network for Deaf-Blind Services Sam Morgan sam.morgan@hknc.org nationaldb.org info@nationaldb.org The contents of this presentation were developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education #H326T130013. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Teaching Research Institute, nor the US Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. Project Officer, Jo Ann McCann.

Today’s Takeaways Why a network matters Philosophical/theoretical underpinnings of network creation Methods and actions

Why Build a Network? Increase and improve collaboration US educational services to children who are DB depend on a national model of technical assistance Funded by the US Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs National project and state projects Complexities of the population Unique needs Low incidence

Existing Complexities and Challenges Systemic challenges Differences in state and local systems, resources and expertise Lack of systems to train qualified personnel Lack of equity – fiscal and infrastructure – unequal service TA has been level funded for 25 years

Network Building Blocks OSEP directive - it makes sense Broad push for collaborative work and stakeholder engagement Increase efficiency and reduce duplication Address equity Improve TA services Common history Long term relationships and shared work Need Experience TA focused on nationally identified needs that evolve with time and continued engagement – initiative based

It Takes Planning and Intention Call change by it’s name Recognize that change is difficult and takes time especially at a distance Identify structures and beliefs Make visible to the network and it’s recipients the elements that build common understanding Working as a community Describe the opportunities and structures that we use for shared work and collaboration

Change Model Used to generate discussion on technical assistance and dissemination

National Vision Statement Children and youth who are deaf-blind receive supports and services that allow them to experience full integration and participation in society including education, employment, community, and social relationships. Our Mission is to provide families, professionals, and the community with: Opportunities for shared leadership and collaboration A national network of supports and services across the age range Personnel who are qualified and knowledgeable Systems with improved capacity

Visuals to Strengthen Identity Network Logo

Network Benefits

Ways of Working Together No one project can “do it all”.  We need each other to collaborate, narrow the focus and identify approaches that will more broadly address needs. Levels of work

Working as a Community Community of practice – viewing TA as collaborative endeavor Peer to peer TA - examples of state implementation Collaborative product development to meet common needs Advisory structures - community members as advisors State Portal - a technology platform that allows for dissemination and sharing TA Guides - Identify and define effective TA practices with examples from state peers Annual DB Summit Progression from sharing of work to building shared work

What Does Progress Look Like? Reported increase in frequency and intensity of collaboration – annual survey of SDBP’s Outputs Increase in shared activities across state projects Increased engagement in shared work with NCDB Outcomes Increased reach Increased capacity – Improved child outcomes Co creation of tools and materials that support state TA Future Increased formative assessment Social Network analysis