1. National Webinar April 19, 2017
The Sooner the Better: A Framework for Training Early Intervention Practitioners on Deaf-Blindness
National Webinar
April 19, 2017
nationaldb.org
The contents of this presentation were developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education #H326T However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Teaching Research Institute, nor the US Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. Project Officer, Jo Ann McCann.

2. Webinar Outcomes:
Understanding of the history of the EI&R work and what products and support are available
Orientation to the EI Framework and potential uses
An understanding of the proposed type of TA available for the use of the Framework and the EI&R Self-Assessment Guide (SAG)

3. Early History of EI&R Work
The SAG we have today has its roots in work started nearly 10 years ago
Substantial literature reviews and input from state projects resulted in Early Identification and Referral of Infants Who Are Deaf-Blind
NCDB’s Early Identification Work Group  
NCDB conducted a focus group with state deaf-blind projects in 2009

4. EI&R Work: The Self-Assessment Guide
EI Work Group created an initial draft of the SAG
Piloted with 8 states
Modified to reflect feedback
Provided TA to 9 states during a field test
Modified again—self-populating data tables and fillable PDF

5. EI&R Work: The SAG Toolkit
Highlights key evidence-based practices
Presents materials and resources from the Network organized around the four systems (Part C, EHDI, Medical, Community Programs)
Webinar Series

6. Accessing the Self-Assessment Guide and Toolkit

7. Why an EI Framework? Logical next step in the work
2016 Summit discussions around EI&R
Creation of the Part C Work Group
Indiana, Pennsylvania, and DEC trainings

8. HUGE THANKS TO ALL OF THEM!
Part C Work Group:
Danna Conn (TN)
Carol Darrah (GA)
Rose Moehring (SD)
Emma Nelson (VT)
Sherri Nelson (ND)
Lisa Poff (IN)
Barbara Purvis (former NCDB Initiative Lead)
HUGE THANKS TO ALL OF THEM!

9. Purpose of the Framework
The purpose of the Framework is to provide a collection of online resources based on DEC Recommended Practices and organized in a way that allows state deaf-blind projects to provide customized training and technical assistance to:
Early intervention providers
Project staff
Families
The content is intended to increase knowledge and skills related to the identification of children with combined vision and hearing loss, key instructional strategies, and the developmental domains used by early interventionists.
Mention that DEC is CEC’s Division for Early Childhood

10. Sections 1–4 of the Framework
Recognizing and Understanding Sensory Loss
Building a Foundation for Successful Learning
Key Strategies for Improving Outcomes
Fine and Gross Motor Skills
You’ll notice as we go through the slides and explain the content in the Framework that a lot of the information could be used to support your work in other systems as well.

11. Sections 5–8 of the Framework
Social-Communication Skills
Cognitive Skills
Social Skills
Adaptive Skills

12. Section 1: Recognizing and Understanding Sensory Loss
Topics include:
Overview of Deaf-Blindness
Risk Factors
Prematurity
Ongoing Medical Issues
Multiple Disabilities
Impact on Early Development
Incidental Learning

13. Section 2: Building a Foundation for Successful Learning
Topics include:
Team Approach
Assessment
Trusted Relationships
Access to People, Objects, and Activities
Individualized Communication Systems
Meaningful Learning Activities

14. Section 3: Key Strategies for Improving Outcomes
Topics include:
Active Learning
Choice Making
Using Cues
Greeting and Leaving Rituals
Using Hand-under-Hand
Wait Time and Pacing

15. Section 4: Fine and Gross Motor Skills
Topics include:
Impact
Active Learning Strategies
Hand-under-Hand Strategies
Strategies to Motivate Movement
Developing Responsive Environments
Strategies to Ensure Safety and Security

16. Section 5: Social-Communication Skills
Topics include:
Impact
Basic Communication Strategies
Using Cues and Symbols

17. Section 6: Cognitive Skills
Topics include:
Impact
Early Literacy
Concept Development
Developing Responsive Environments
Using Systematic Instruction (including fading, pairing, shaping, and task analysis)

18. Section 7: Social Skills
Topics include:
Impact
Communication and Interaction Partners
Facilitating Participation
Following the Child’s Lead
Greeting and Leaving Rituals
Name Cues

19. Section 8: Adaptive Skills
Topics include:
Impact
Making Adaptations
Using Calendar Systems
Facilitating Participation
Facilitating Independence and Self-Determination

20. Brief Tour of the Framework
National Deaf-Blind Website - Early Intervention Framework

21. Proposed TA for the Framework
Interested state projects would sign up for a focus group to review the content in the Framework and talk about ways it can be used and how to package the materials to address needs related to:
under-identification and under-referral
knowledge/skill building for Part C providers and families

22. Logistics of TA for the Framework
Dates and times for Adobe meetings would be set based on the availability of those interested
NCDB would host the meetings and allow states to share/collaborate with each other
Ideas around the use of the Framework would be collected by NCDB and shared with the broader network via forum posts in the EI&R initiative space

23. Proposed TA for the SAG and Action Planning Process:
Interested state projects would sign up for a focus group to work through the SAG and talk about what they are learning about systems in their states
Dates and times for Adobe meetings would be set based on the availability of those interested
NCDB would host the meetings and provide support to the states

24. We’d like your feedback! Here come the polling questions…

25. Next Steps:
If you are interested in participating in either or both of the focus groups, we will be sending out a link to sign up through the State Project Portal and through the list
Based on your feedback, we will set the dates for the meetings and send out the times to each group
Once you have a chance to look through the Framework and/or the Guide, if you decide you are interested…

26. Questions?

27. Thanks for joining today!
Questions? Feel free to contact us:
Megan Cote:
Mark Schalock: