Development/Enhancement of Virginia's Part C Outcome Indicator System

The University of Kentucky (UK) proposes to operate an OSEP General Supervision Enhancement Grant on behalf of the Virginia IDEA, Part C Program, Department of MH/MR/SA Services, Infant and Toddler Connection of Virginia (CFDA Number: 84.326X). This proposal responds to Focus 2 of the work statement as published in the Priority: Developing or enhancing Part C state outcome indicators and methods to collect and analyze Part C outcome indicator data. Specifically we will address the impact of Part C services by: 1. establishing desired outcomes, 2. selecting indicators and 3. implementing methods to measure, collect and analyze the effects of Part C services. A unique partnership between the Virginia Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services (DMH/MR/SAS), the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is in place to enhance the work that we propose. In fact, these agencies, as stakeholders in measuring the effects of early intervention, had made commitments to work with each other on this effort well before the grant announcement and were just beginning to seek resources. The commitment with VDH is documented in a Memorandum of Agreement completed last spring. This project will expand the existing relationship with Old Dominion University (ODU) in Norfolk, Virginia which currently hosts the development and maintenance of the Infants and Toddlers On-line Tracking System (iTOTS). VDH and VDOE will supplement the contract with ODD with funds from their budgets. The design for the project is built around three objectives as follows: 1. Establish desired child and family outcomes 2. Design and develop outcome indicators 3. Establish a baseline of measured effects of early intervention services. Activities proposed for Objective 1 are to establish the criteria for a universal set of desired outcomes and indicators and to establish consensus among stakeholders across the Commonwealth. Objective 2 will address the design of processes and procedures to measure progress toward outcomes and to develop and install a module of adaptations to the existing Infants and Toddlers On-Line Tracking System (iTOTS). Expert panels will review the outcome indicators and processes to determine the thoroughness, necessity and accuracy of the array selected. The adaptations will also build a bridge to the VDH data system entitled VISITS and align to the VDOE outcome measures system. Objective 3 will be accomplished with development and pilot-testing of the new module, local lead agencies (LLAs) will be trained in its use via web-based and CD ROM technologies followed with staff technical assistance. A family-focused package will be developed for statewide dissemination. All 40 LLAs will have support for analysis and interpretation of the first baseline reports of the outcome indicators. The three main components of the project evaluation are outlined to ensure utility, feasibility, propriety and accuracy of project implementation, effectiveness and systemic and long-term impact.