D. JAY GENSE & MARK SCHALOCK NCDB: TEACHING RESEARCH INSTITUTE, WESTERN OREGON UNIVERSITY BARBARA PURVIS NCDB: HELEN KELLER NATIONAL CENTER USING EVIDENCE-BASED STRATEGIES AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO IMPROVE IDENTIFICATION OF INFANTS AND TODDLERS WITH COMBINED VISION AND HEARING LOSS

DEAF-BLINDNESS – “THE BIG PICTURE IN 2013” General Demographics # of children Disability variance Etiologies Living & Education Settings National TA model

OVERVIEW: EARLY IDENTIFICATION & REFERRAL INITIATIVE Identifying the need Response Implementation strategies Tools for TA

AVERAGE NUMBER OF INFANTS AND TODDLERS WHO ARE DEAF-BLIND:

DISTRIBUTION OF INFANTS ACROSS STATES:

EARLY IDENTIFICATION AND REFERRAL SELF-ASSESSMENT GUIDE Process includes Data analysis Reflection Issues to consider Effective strategies Targeted action

EXAMPLE PAGE FROM THE DATA ANALYSIS SECTION OF THE EARLY IDENTIFICATION AND REFERRAL SELF-ASSESSMENT GUIDE

INITIAL IMPLEMENTATION Adopted more narrow focus Final web-based product developed in collaboration with ten pilot states Informed by evaluation data Development of detailed planning guide

INITIAL IMPLEMENTATION Provided framework that includes Four key practices Descriptors of each practice Considerations for implementation Resources and Examples

IMPLEMENTATION: INTENSIVE TA Initial group of ten pilot states Eight additional states currently Included TA around key evidence based practices Ongoing TA for groups addressing a targeted issue or system

IMPLEMENTATION: UNIVERSAL TA Access to the Guide via NCDB website Announcements via , web and social media Introductory webinar Article written by pilot state Access to EI&R Team for questions

IMPLEMENTATION : TARGETED TA Self-populating data tables Access to EI&R Team throughout self-assessment process Consultation available on request Toolbox of resources Promotes network-wide discussion

INITIAL OUTCOMES 1.More targeted approach to EI&R issues and systems 2.National access to collaboratively developed web-based product 3.At least 21 states implementing a data based decision making process

INITIAL OUTCOMES 3.Eighteen states implementing evidence based practices to improve effectiveness 4.Core group of ten states committed to developing targeted materials to promote a consistent national effort 5.Increased number of infants and toddlers referred to State Deaf-Blind Projects

NEXT STEPS Promote and facilitate use of Self Assessment Guide among additional State Deaf-Blind Projects Ongoing expansion of Toolbox Expanded EI&R Team for TA delivery Create online opportunities for network-wide discussion and problem solving

QUESTIONS/DISCUSSION 1.What can we do to facilitate constituents’ use of data to address challenges? 2.How might TA Centers within and beyond OSEP better collaborate to support early identification and referral efforts?

NCDB CONTACT INFORMATION D. Jay Gense, Director or Barbara Purvis, Team Lead, Early Identification and Referral Initiative or Mark Schalock, Evaluation Specialist or