2010 OSEP Leadership Mega Conference Collaboration to Achieve Success from Cradle to Career Effective Collaboration between Parent Centers and Early Childhood Part C Agencies- The NH Perspective Michelle Lewis, NH Parent Information Center Carolyn Stiles, NH Part C Coordinator Parent Strand Presentation #S1-101

In The Beginning…. Parent Information Center (PIC) and Part C Family Centered Early Supports and Services (ESS) Collaboration – Supporting families around IDEA – Rights and Process – Has grown and evolved over time due to Federal Grants such as General Supervision Enhancement Grant (GSEG) and IDEA Partnership Grant

Collaboration: GSEG - Child and Family Outcomes NH’s Parent Center led the consortium of family organizations involved in NH’s GSEG (the development of NH’s Family and Child Outcomes system) Families played a key role in all aspects of the development of NH’s Child and Family Outcomes System

Collaboration: Child and Family Outcomes Found new ways to involve families – Distance participation – Informal mentoring Family led development of Child Outcomes Brochure Family members were co-trainers at the Child Outcomes Summary Form (COSF) staff trainings Family members involved in reviewing and revising the family outcomes survey

Collaboration: Family Driven Early Literacy Initiative Collaboration between NH Department of Education, Part C, Parent Center, local school district, and other community organizations Focused on a local community Purpose – Caregivers learn how to start children on the road to becoming a reader with simple playtime activities ESS Providers and school district personnel use information and DVD with families

Collaboration: Family Driven Early Literacy Initiative Results for Families Family literacy night “Snowy Day” (Early Learning Guidelines were used) Families involved with the development of “Talk with Me, Read with Me, Sing with Me” DVD DVD developed with accessibility for all families Early literacy principles were infused in to ESS home visits and school programs

Collaboration: Early Childhood Transitions ESS funded PIC to provide “My Child’s Turning 3, Now What?” Workshops for families in all regions of NH ESS and NH Department of Education, Bureau of Special Education Part B/619 jointly funded the Supporting Successful Early Childhood Transitions (SSECT) Project

Collaboration: Early Childhood Transitions Results for Families Regional Interagency Agreements for Early Childhood Transitions developed and implemented in every area of the state, ensuring smooth and effective transitions for children transitioning from ESS to preschool special education Family input included in all aspects of the project

Collaboration: Interagency Coordinating Council PIC is a member of the ICC and Parent Center Director serves as Chair Results for Families Family perspective and family input is always part of the discussion

Collaboration: OSEP Verification Visit Part C Office photocopied survey materials and mailed information to ESS programs ESS programs distributed to families with self-addressed stamped envelope PIC aggregated the data and provided summary results to OSEP, families, and the Part C Office Results for Families Families provide meaningful input to OSEP

Collaboration: ARRA Funding PIC is funded for the following projects: Family Guide to Family Centered Early Supports and Services Updating Transition Guide for Families, ESS, and School District Personnel On-line Training Modules – IFSP Development, Communication, Transition

Collaboration: ARRA Funding Results for Families: Families are assisting in the design of these projects Families have information in multiple formats Outreach to families is increased

In Summary Over time PIC and ESS have been working much more collaboratively to improve family outcomes

For more information… Michelle Lewis – ext Carolyn Stiles – or