Opening Doors to Success: The Status of State Transition Policies and Practices Beth Rous University of Kentucky Gloria Harbin University of North Carolina Katherine McCormick University of Kentucky

Today We Will… Review the National Early Childhood Transition Center Scope and Activities Present preliminary findings from current study on state policy and practice

WHY IS A TRANSITION CENTER NEEDED? Law Sets Up Need For Transition Legal Provisions to Insure Smooth Transitions Evidence of Continued Difficulty – Parent Report – Research Studies – Federal and State Monitoring

ECOLOGY OF TRANSITION

HOW WILL THE CENTER HELP? EXAMINE LITERATURE EXAMINE STATE POLICIES COMPARE EMPIRICAL & SOCIALLY VALIDATED PRACTICES CONDUCT LONGITUDINAL STUDIES PROVIDE TRAINING & SYSTEM CHANGE

STATE POLICY COMPONENT NATIONAL STUDIES – Analysis of Monitoring-Related Documents – Policy Survey: Part C – Policy Survey: 619 – Role of the SICC FIVE (5) STATE STUDIES – Policy Document Analysis – Role of the LICC (Survey) – Interviews

ANALYSIS OF MONITORING DOCUMENTS DOCUMENTS USED Part B & C Self-Assessments State Continuous Improvement Plans OSEP Part B & Part C Monitoring Reports State Continuous Monitoring Progress Reports State Part B Performance Reports ALL DOCUMENTS NOT AVAILABLE FOR EVERY STATE

ANALYSIS OF MONITORING DOCUMENTS WHAT DID WE DO? Requested all relevant documents from state Part C and 619 Coordinators Categorized contents of documents – Issues – Goals – Strategies and Activities Documented Data Source for Each Entry Conducting Cross State Analyses

ANALYSIS OF MONITORING DOCUMENTS AN EXAMPLE IssueTransition GoalsStrategies & Activities Interagency Agreement Data System The number of communities with established interagency agreements that facilitate transition from Part C to Part B will increase Require communities to document how they will gather information through personal interviews, surveys, and/or focus groups about how families experienced their transition process Timelines Data System The percentage of eligible children who have completed their transition plans no later than 3 months prior to their third birthday will increase Gather accurate and uniform data about transition and the timely provision of services upon the child’s third birthday through IFSP 1 reviews, parent focus groups and targeted on- sites Parent Satisfaction Training 100 percent of families will report a smooth and timely transition from Part C to Part B by their child’s third birthday. Identify additional training and technical assistance needs from Service Coordination Core Training School Participation Timelines Training Interagency Agreements School district personnel will be invited to participate in transition planning no later than 6 months prior to the child’s third birthday for all children potentially eligible for Part B Develop a self assessment tool for local communities to document the participation of school districts, parents, and Part C in transition meetings. Provide training to service coordinators, child find coordinators, and preschool personnel. Provide technical assistance to local communities to develop interagency agreements. 1 IFSP: Individual Family Service Plan

ANALYSIS OF MONITORING DOCUMENTS PRELIMINARY FINDINGS Evaluations Transition contained in IFSP Timelines Service Array Inclusion Summer

ANALYSIS OF MONITORING DOCUMENTS PRELIMINARY FINDINGS - Continued Parent Participation Parent Rights Parent Satisfaction Adequate Staff Participation

ANALYSIS OF MONITORING DOCUMENTS PRELIMINARY FINDINGS - Continued Data System Training Interagency Agreements

WHAT’S NEXT? Complete Cross State Analyses – Establish Reliability Finalize State Profiles Write Report Put Profiles and Report on Website Complete All Other State Studies Use Website to Consolidate All State Info on Transition Gathered by Others – Example: NECTAC Survey Data

Transition Survey Content Transition Policies & InfrastructureSICC Structure & Transition Activities I. Policies and Values II. Approach to Transition * Narrow vs. broad III. Policies * Type of policies * Outcomes * Involvement in transition policy development * Timing * When initiated * Who participated on transition team * Scheduling of transition team * Continuity of services * Assessment *Family information * Guidance * IEP * Summer birthdays * Information sharing IV. Structures to Support Transition * ICC * Working relationships V. Funding VI. Training VII/. Monitoring and Evaluation VIII. Barriers and Strategies I. Interagency History and ICC Description * SICC role in developing interagency agreements * Approach to service delivery * Are there LICCs or RICCs II. Transition Materials and Policies * Philosophy * Materials to support transition * What types * Types of transition policies III. Interagency Relationships * Level * Quality IV. Accomplishments

Additional Resources of Interest RESOURCES FROM OTHER ORGANIZATIONS Summary of Transition Related Information as presented in the National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center 619 Profiles (PDF)PDF Summary of Transition Related Information as presented in the National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center Part C Updates (PDF)PDF Summary of Transition Related Information as presented in the National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center State ICC Overview (PDF)PDF

CHECK OUR WEBSITE FREQUENTLY Teri Nowak, Project Coordinator Interdisciplinary Human Development Institute University of Kentucky 126 Mineral Industries Building Lexington, KY Phone: Toll Free: Fax: CONTRIBUTE YOUR TRANSITION STORY!