2008 OSEP National Early Childhood Conference “Building Partnerships for Effective Change” December 8, 2008 Systemic Approaches to Improving State Compliance and Performance on APRs Ardith Ferguson Colorado Part C 2008 OSEP National Early Childhood Conference “Building Partnerships for Effective Change” December 8, 2008 Systemic Approaches to Improving State Compliance and Performance on APRs Ardith Ferguson Colorado Part C

Colorado Department of Human Services Division for Developmental Disabilities Colorado Department of Human Services Division for Developmental Disabilities

Lead Agency Change Since December 31, 2005, Colorado’s lead agency for Part C of IDEA has been the Colorado Department of Human Services, Division for Developmental Disabilities, Early Intervention Colorado Program.

Early Intervention Colorado Early Intervention Services Programs - 20 FY Unduplicated Count - 7,649 October 1, 2007 Active Count - 4,069 Identification Rate for Birth % Early Intervention Services Programs - 20 FY Unduplicated Count - 7,649 October 1, 2007 Active Count - 4,069 Identification Rate for Birth %

Diversity of the Local Programs Active counts range ,700 children Rural plains, mountain communities, and cities along urban corridor EI staff, contract providers, or combination of staff and contractors Designated service coordination system Active counts range ,700 children Rural plains, mountain communities, and cities along urban corridor EI staff, contract providers, or combination of staff and contractors Designated service coordination system

Challenges of the First Year  New climate of accountability  Inherited SPP with expansive activities  Data transfer and absence of data  Amount of foundational infrastructure work required due to lead agency change  Thirty (30) new programs  New climate of accountability  Inherited SPP with expansive activities  Data transfer and absence of data  Amount of foundational infrastructure work required due to lead agency change  Thirty (30) new programs

Challenges of First Year  New local staff needed training  Interagency partnership with Department of Education for Child Find  Over-zealous monitoring  Learning OSEP-speak  New local staff needed training  Interagency partnership with Department of Education for Child Find  Over-zealous monitoring  Learning OSEP-speak

Second Year Strategies Used national technical assistance resources Revised monitoring procedures Prepared for OSEP Verification Visit Made changes to State database Started APR process earlier Used national technical assistance resources Revised monitoring procedures Prepared for OSEP Verification Visit Made changes to State database Started APR process earlier

Second Year Strategies Revised SPP improvement activities Engaged stakeholders in status determination criteria, sanctions & incentives Launched interactive public reports Have administrative interest and support Passed key legislation Revised SPP improvement activities Engaged stakeholders in status determination criteria, sanctions & incentives Launched interactive public reports Have administrative interest and support Passed key legislation

Third Year Strategies/Factors Added focused monitoring process Using technical assistance (TA) tools to identify root causes Providing intensive TA to programs in “Needs Intervention” Realigned staff responsibilities Aided by supportive climate in the State Added focused monitoring process Using technical assistance (TA) tools to identify root causes Providing intensive TA to programs in “Needs Intervention” Realigned staff responsibilities Aided by supportive climate in the State

Contact:

Questions?

Ardith Ferguson Early Intervention Colorado CDHS/DDD 4055 South Lowell Blvd. Denver, CO fax Ardith Ferguson Early Intervention Colorado CDHS/DDD 4055 South Lowell Blvd. Denver, CO fax