1. Building a Statewide Community of Caring
Using Technology to Promote Communication and Collaboration within the NC Early Intervention System
Joshua J. Alexander, MD,
Juliellen Simpson-Vos, M.Ed, and
Libby Rogers, LPT

2. TelAbility (http://www.telability.org)
An Internet-Based
Telehealth Program For
Young Children with Disabilities
TelAbility is an innovative, community oriented, interdisciplinary program with an 8 year history of using telecommunications to improve the lives of children with disabilities. Using real time video conferencing and internet technologies, TelAbility provides comprehensive, coordinated, family centered care to children with disabilities across North Carolina and offers education, training, and peer support for people who care for them.

3. Building a Community of Practice
“A group of people who share a concern, set of problems, or passion about a topic and who deepen their knowledge and expertise in this area by interaction on an ongoing basis.”
WATCH began in July of 2004 with the intent of building a “Community of Practice” among the Early Intervention Professionals in Wake County, NC. As defined in the book Cultivating a Community of Practice, a community of practice is a “group of people who share a concern, set of problems, or passion about a topic and who deepen their knowledge and expertise in this area by interaction on an ongoing basis.” The health and success of this group depends upon the voluntary engagement of the members, the emergence of internal leadership and a certain level of informality. Now, in year four of the project, we are proud to say WATCH has met those benchmarks for success.

4. Wake Area Telehealth Collaborative Helping Children with special needs
WATCH
Wake Area
Telehealth Collaborative
Helping Children
with special needs
Through the generous funding of the John Rex Endowment, TelAbility has coordinated the formation of WATCH (Wake Area Telehealth Collaborative Helping children with special needs).

5. WATCH includes… Inclusive Child Care Settings Services Agencies
Residential Care Programs
State Agencies (CDSA and School system)
WATCH is a collaborative of 14 agencies including 5 inclusive developmental day care and child care programs.

6. Website Content /Expertise Directory
Current Programming
Website Content /Expertise Directory
List serv
Newsletters
Videoconferencing
Over the past 3 years, WATCH has become a successful network that now combines the expertise of more than 275 Wake County professionals through a website, list serv, and electronic newsletter. Video conference units housed at each WATCH site have increased access to specialized services for young children, their families and the professionals who serve them. Services have included video clinics with physicians, video consultations between therapists and child service coordinators, professional development sessions, and multi-site round table discussion forums focusing on research topics and case studies.

7. The TelAbility website is widely used and offers a variety of resources…local to international.

8. Wake County Services and Resources for Children 0-5 webpage
One of our newest features. Idea of the Wake LICC, funded through Wake Smart Start and TelAbilty, to create a one stop shopping resource for the community.

9. What does the webpage do?
The webpage is a searchable database where anyone can select specific fields to find the services they need.
Agencies that match their needs will be sorted and listed.
When you click the link for the agency all the agency data will be provided.
Demo

10. Other Website Features
Expertise Directory
Handouts
Links
Calendar
Books
Articles
Videos
More!
WATCH Members also use the website to search for handouts, links to other websites, find professional development events, books, articles and even watch videos. Demos search function.

11. Videoconferencing Videoconsults Videoclinics
Tandberg 1500MXP videoconference units were installed at each WATCH site beginning in December of Since that time the project has successfully initiated and completed 62 video conference sessions involving over 1100 people.
Professional Development Sessions
Point to point meetings
(administrative, family visits, etc.)

12. 6 Years of Success in Wilmington
January 2002-February 2008
In the past 6 years there have been a total of 98 videoconferences held between TelAbility and families and professionals in the Wilmington area.

13. Videoclinic and Videoconsults
67 videoclinics/consults have been held
Involving 513 families, therapists, and medical personnel
Satisfaction level average =4.55 out of 5.0
Comfort level average = 4.94 out of 5.0
Families saved a total of over $7, in travel mileage and 215 hours in travel time.
Average savings per videoclinic is 309 miles ($156.00) and 5 hours in travel time.

14. Administrative Meetings
13 Administrative meetings have been held between the Early Intervention Branch, individual CDSA’s, Commissions, and Committees
Involving 98 administrators
Satisfaction level average = 4.2 out of 5.0
Administrators saved a total of $14,847 in travel mileage and 490 hours in travel time.

15. Professional Development Opportunities
11 Professional Development opportunities have occurred with therapists in the Wilmington area
56 area therapists have participated (including school system, private agencies, and CDSA staff)
Satisfaction level average =4.0 out of 5.0
Comfort level average =4.4 out of 5.0
Total mileage savings= $8,484
Total hours saved=616

16. Professional Development Continued..
Sessions were held free of charge to participants
Session were coordinated through TelAbility and with help from Libby Rogers
Infant Toddler Certification credit was offered for all sessions
Some of the session topics included:
The Use of Standardized Tests in Early Intervention
Gross Motor Delays for Children with Visual Impairments
Advanced Feeding Techniques
The Uses of Electrical Stimulation
Brachial Plexus
The Use of Theratogs

17. Networking Sessions
7 Networking sessions have been held via videoconference
35 people participated
Satisfaction level average= 4.5 out of 5.0
Comfort level average= 5.0 out of 5.0
Total mileage savings= $5,303
Total hours saved= 175

18. Wilmington Data Recap…
97 videoconference sessions have been held between January 2002 and February 2008.
Approximately 700 people have participated in videoconference sessions.
Average Satisfaction level= 4.3 out of 5.0
Average Comfort level= 4.8 out of 5.0
Total driving hours saved=1,491
Total mileage savings= $35,300.

19. Videoconference Benefits for Providers
Improves communication and care coordination efforts
Increases professional development and education opportunities
Increases collaboration with other locations and professionals
Reduces professional isolation across the state
Responsive to their needs and interests
Reduces travel time and costs

20. Videoconference Benefits for Parents
Improves communication, education, and care coordination efforts
Responsive to their needs and interests
Reduces isolation
Reduces travel time and costs
Allows for long range care coordination (from IT program to Preschool to School system)
No extra charge to use the technology

21. “Instead of all competing or working as separate entities, WATCH allows for us all to come together for the greater good of the child and family.”

22. Future Goals
Expand into hospitals, school systems—use WATCH as a model across the state.

23. WATCH2 Wake/Wilmington Areas Telehealth Collaborative Helping Children
with special needs
Through the generous funding of the John Rex Endowment, TelAbility has coordinated the formation of WATCH (Wake Area Telehealth Collaborative Helping children with special needs).

24.                                                              Questions?                                                             
By connecting CDSAs, service agencies, teachers, therapist, medical professionals, and school systems with each other we will continue to strengthen communication, utilize the wealth of expertise across the state, leverage resources and work to build a statewide community of practice.