Together We Grow North Carolina Early Intervention Services EISAS Parent Survey: Assessment of Early Intervention Service Provider Quality Presenters: Lynette Aytch, FPG Child Development Institute Ann Crane, Director Fayetteville CDSA Lynette Aytch, FPG Child Development Institute Ann Crane, Director Fayetteville CDSA National Early Childhood Inclusion Institute August 5, 2005

Together We Grow North Carolina Early Intervention Services Presentation Objectives Present brief overview of EISAS Parent Survey Discuss benefits and limitations of parent survey methodology Present rationale for and importance of provider- specific parent feedback Discuss implications of survey findings for improving quality of provider services

Together We Grow North Carolina Early Intervention Services Goals of EISAS Parent Survey To assess the extent to which parents have had the opportunity to participate in an active and meaningful way in all aspects of early intervention service provision To assess parent perceptions of the quality of early intervention services provided

Together We Grow North Carolina Early Intervention Services Overview of Parent Survey Development Extensive review of the literature Significant constituent input Multiple field studies Refinements based on results of field studies

Together We Grow North Carolina Early Intervention Services Core Values of EISAS The centrality of the family to promote and sustain optimal child development outcomes Parents as active participants and decision- makers in all aspects of early intervention service, to the extent they desire Coordination of services to facilitate seamless delivery Interagency collaboration to promote effective and efficient use of resources

Together We Grow North Carolina Early Intervention Services Core Values of EISAS Individualized services to address specific child and family strengths, needs, and desired outcomes Integration of intervention activities into typical child and family routines Provision of intervention services in natural environments Importance of informal family support and community resources

Together We Grow North Carolina Early Intervention Services Survey Methodology: Benefits Practical and cost efficient way to get feedback from a broad group of parents Internally developed by diverse group of constituents to reflect program and practice priorities Provides opportunity for systematic review and reflection on perceptions of program practices

Together We Grow North Carolina Early Intervention Services Survey Methodology: Limitations Subjective perspective of experiences and program practices Tendency toward inflated ratings One of multiple information-gathering strategies (e.g., focus groups, interviews, etc.) that can be used to collect parent feedback

Together We Grow North Carolina Early Intervention Services Rationale for Provider-Specific Feedback NC Early Intervention System Reorganization 7/04 18 statewide CDSAs (Local administrative agency for Infant/Toddler Program – Part C CDSA provision of multi-disciplinary evaluations and service coordination Contracting with community providers for intervention services (PT, OT, Speech, Special Education)

Together We Grow North Carolina Early Intervention Services Rationale for Provider-Specific Feedback (con’t.) Family Choice of Service Providers Provider Profile Information EISAS Parent Survey: Provision of Intervention Services used to obtain provider specific feedback from families regarding service provision

Together We Grow North Carolina Early Intervention Services Logistics of Survey Implementation Need for standardization process for statewide implementation Identification of children receiving therapy services using statewide database system Local CDSA identification of service providers

Together We Grow North Carolina Early Intervention Services Logistics of Survey Implementation (con’t.) EI Branch and FPG identify recipients and assemble survey packets Cover letter and label specific to provider agency Inclusion of appropriate parent survey Dissemination of surveys to CDSAs for distribution by service coordinator Challenges encountered to obtaining provider specific feedback

Together We Grow North Carolina Early Intervention Services Implications of Survey Findings Program insight into experiences and perceived quality of services from a diverse sample of parents Feedback to providers about parents’ perceptions of services Information to inform program planning and improvement Impact on program policies and practices

Together We Grow North Carolina Early Intervention Services Next Steps Analyze data Develop feedback reports for parents, providers, and EI leadership Continue dissemination of EISAS Parent Survey Explore potential for national utility of the survey

Together We Grow North Carolina Early Intervention Services Acknowledgements Quality Improvement DirectorSherry Franklin Licensure, Certification, & Information Specialist Lynn Graham CDSA Program SupervisorJerry Wilkinson Fayetteville CDSA DirectorAnn Crane Most importantly......Early Intervention parents and stakeholders across the state of North Carolina!!!!

Together We Grow North Carolina Early Intervention Services Contact Information Lynette Aytch FPG Child Development Institute (919) Ann Crane Fayetteville CDSA (910) ext. 228