Inquiring Families Want to Know: Engaging Families in the Outcome Rating Process Hearing Family Stories Gaining Family Insight Involving Families Adapted from materials developed by Naomi Younggren, 2011

Presenters: Shannon Dunstan, ID Kathi Gillaspy, NECTAC/ECO Pam Miller, MD Judy Swett, PACER/NECTAC Jennifer Zielinski, ID Jennifer Barrett-Zitkus, IL 2012 Measuring and Improving Child and Family Outcomes Conference 2

Hearing Family Stories Empower families to be active members of the IFSP/IEP team Encourage them to share their thoughts and ideas with you Measuring and Improving Child and Family Outcomes Conference

Gaining Family Insight Setting the stage so families take an active role in interaction Listening Asking good questions Ask for feedback, invite comments/reactions Measuring and Improving Child and Family Outcomes Conference

Interviewing Pointers Westby, Burda, & Metha, 2003 Use open-ended questions Use restating – repeating the exact words Summarize and invite opportunities to correct Avoid back-to-back and compound questions Avoid leading questions Cautiously use "why" questions Listen more than talk 2012 Measuring and Improving Child and Family Outcomes Conference 5

Parent Roles Team Member Information Provider & Receiver Participant in the COS rating discussion 2012 Measuring and Improving Child and Family Outcomes Conference 6

Share Information Early & Often 2012 Measuring and Improving Child and Family Outcomes Conference 7

What We Should Expect from Family Involvement in the COS Rating? Yes! –They can provide rich information about their child’s functioning across settings and situation. Maybe –They will know whether their child is showing age expected skills Measuring and Improving Child and Family Outcomes Conference 8

How Families Can Help They know their child best. As a partner on the team they can provide information about how their child: Gets along with family and friends Manages feelings Tries to do new things Communicates new ideas Tries to be independent Seeks help when needed 2012 Measuring and Improving Child and Family Outcomes Conference 9

You can't handle the truth!* Families can handle the truth We need to be able to share information with them openly and honestly 2012 Measuring and Improving Child and Family Outcomes Conference 10 * Col. Jessup, A Few Good Men

2012 Measuring and Improving Child and Family Outcomes Conference 11 Genuinely engage families in the entire process, appreciate their strengths, and reach agreement with them about their child. - Naomi Younggren

Talking with Families about Child Outcomes Illinois Early Intervention Training Program 2012 Measuring and Improving Child and Family Outcomes Conference 12

Illinois 25 Point of Entries (Child and Family Connections) Designated Service Coordinator Model (450) Vender Model Provider Base (5,000) 2012 Measuring and Improving Child and Family Outcomes Conference 13

Introduction of Child and Family Outcomes Family Provider Service Coordinator 14

Service Coordinator Overload 15

Illinois EI Training Program Shift Family Service Coordinator Child and Family Outcomes Provider 2012 Measuring and Improving Child and Family Outcomes Conference 16

Online Trainings 17

Online Trainings System Overview Online Understanding the Illinois Child Outcomes Process Online Training The Impact of Early Intervention on Families Online Training The Impact of Early Intervention on Families Online Training 2012 Measuring and Improving Child and Family Outcomes Conference 18

Face to Face Training System Overview Follow-Up Face to Face Outcomes in Action Follow-Up EI Sponsored Trainings EI Institutes EI Cohorts 19

Provider Forums and LIC Meetings Local Provider Meetings Local Interagency Meetings 20

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Direct Opportunities for Family Support on Child Outcomes Referral Intake (Routines –Based Interview ) IFSP Meetings (Decision Tree) Monthly Contact Exit 2012 Measuring and Improving Child and Family Outcomes Conference 22

Resources ECO Outcomes Video ECO Center Website Decision Tree EI Training IFSP Video Illinois Training Newsletter and Web SiteIllinois Training Newsletter and Web Site Illinois Early Intervention Clearinghouse Project Enhance 2012 Measuring and Improving Child and Family Outcomes Conference 23

Embedding the ECO Process into Early Childhood IEPs

Side by Side Comparison Survey Response 70% proficient or expert 64% and 59% used team at entrance and exit 88% collected AA, IF, and F 71% used the decision tree Practice Evidence 3% met minimal compliance 77% and 86% used team process at entrance and exit 26% in 2012 and 20% in 2011 AA, IF and F documented Rating matched Evidence provided 10% 2012 and 8%

 Paperwork, just another form  more work not related to services provided  just what the state says to do  not relevant, not a useful tool  more time, not enough time to process paper  ECO areas are very broad in comparison to IEP goals  team does not want to take the time so do it alone  not valued by the team  to subjective  program will not change if ECOs goes away  takes time away from teaching  current practice lacks, not a true picture of child  progress with most challenging students is not reflective in ECO reporting  outcomes do not reflect minimal growth of severe students  data is more important for developing goals and intervention then reporting outcomes  easier to see growth in IEP but not on an anchor assessment  Redundant  takes time way from kids; more meetings that takes time away from students Early Childhood Outcomes are NOT Meaningful

 unrealistic to get every parent to give input  not parent friendly  too long, too many steps  do difficult to sit with family and develop IEP and fill out ECOs information  makes families really sad to hear skills child is lacking  too much grief for parents  do not understand the need for ECO document  ECO is only used to gather information and functional outcomes come out of the IEP as a team process  COSF forms takes a lot more prodding of parents for information  difficult for parents to answer the question what are my child’s strengths, hard for parents to articulate concerns  how much parent input do we need  parents don’t know how to make sense of their child in regard to education  parent is not a valuable member until parent teacher conferences  gathering information from parents is good but not actuate for goal outcome without extensive observations Teachers thoughts regarding Parent Input

So What to Do?

Partnering with Parents

Parent Training and Information Center Partner with Idaho State Department of Education Educate, train and provide information to parents Ensure parent involvement Parent participation in decision making and planning

Find the following on the ITC: Online Learning Community –Early Childhood eGuidelines Early Childhood Outcomes Transitions IEPs Best Practice Least Restrictive Environment Housed at: Center on Disabilities and Human Development, University of Idaho

Contact Information: Shannon Dunstan Early Childhood & Interagency Coordinator Idaho State Department of Education Division of Student Achievement and School Improvement Division of Special Education (208)

Engaging Families in the Child Outcomes Summary (COS) Process: A Framework

Engaging Families in the Child Outcomes Summary Process: Video Resource 39

Engaging Families in the Child Outcomes Summary Process: Video Viewing Guide 40

Engaging Families: Locally Developed Resources 41

Online COS Tutorial: Bringing It All Together 43

Questions? Thank you for coming!