D . J AY G E N S E & M A R K S C H A LO C K N C D B : T E A C H I N G R E S E A R C H I N S T I T U T E , W E S T E R N O R E G O N U N I V E R S I T YB A R B A R A P U R V I S N C D B : H E L E N K E L L E R N AT I O N A L C E N T E R

USING EVIDENCE-BASED STRATEGIES AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO IMPROVE IDENTIFICATION OF INFANTS AND TODDLERS WITH COMBINED VISION AND HEARING LOSS

www.nationaldb.org

DEAF-BLINDNESS –“THE BIG PICTURE IN 2013”

• General Demographics•# of children• Disability variance• Etiologies• Living & Education Settings

• National TA model

OVERVIEW: EARLY IDENTIFICATION & REFERRAL INITIATIVE

• Identifying the need•Response• Implementation strategies•Tools for TA

AVERAGE NUMBER OF INFANTS AND TODDLERS WHO ARE DEAF-BLIND: 2007-2011

Birth-One

One Two Three Four0

50100150200250300350400450

84

209

325391 418

Coun

t

DISTRIBUTION OF INFANTS ACROSS STATES: 2007 - 2011

Series105

101520253035404550

7

42

5

At least 1 infant every year

NO infants in one in one or more years

NO infants in any of the past 5

years

EARLY IDENTIFICATION AND REFERRAL SELF-ASSESSMENT GUIDE

Process includes• Data analysis • Reflection • Issues to consider• Effective strategies• Targeted action

EXAMPLE PAGE FROM THE DATA

ANALYSIS SECTION OF THE

EARLY IDENTIFICATION AND REFERRAL

SELF-ASSESSMENT

GUIDE

INITIAL IMPLEMENTATION

•Adopted more narrow focus •Final web-based product developed in collaboration with ten pilot states• Informed by evaluation data•Development of detailed planning guide

INITIAL IMPLEMENTATION

Provided framework that includes•Four key practices•Descriptors of each practice•Considerations for implementation•Resources and Examples

IMPLEMENTATION: INTENSIVE TA

• Initial group of ten pilot states•Eight additional states currently• Included TA around key evidence based practices •Ongoing TA for groups addressing a targeted issue or system

IMPLEMENTATION: UNIVERSAL TA

•Access to the Guide via NCDB website•Announcements via email, web and social media• Introductory webinar•Article written by pilot state •Access to EI&R Team for questions

IMPLEMENTATION : TARGETED TA

•Self-populating data tables•Access to EI&R Team throughout self-assessment process •Consultation available on request •Toolbox of resources •Promotes network-wide discussion

INITIAL OUTCOMES1. More targeted approach to

EI&R issues and systems2. National access to collaboratively

developed web-based product3. At least 21 states implementing a

data based decision making process

INITIAL OUTCOMES3. Eighteen states implementing

evidence based practices to improve effectiveness

4. Core group of ten states committed to developing targeted materials to promote a consistent national effort

5. Increased number of infants and toddlers referred to State Deaf-Blind Projects

NEXT STEPS• Promote and facilitate use of Self

Assessment Guide among additional State Deaf-Blind Projects

• Ongoing expansion of Toolbox

• Expanded EI&R Team for TA delivery

• Create online opportunities for network-wide discussion and problem solving

QUESTIONS/DISCUSSION1. What can we do to facilitate

constituents’ use of data to address challenges?

2. How might TA Centers within and beyond OSEP better collaborate to support early identification and referral efforts?

NCDB CONTACT INFORMATION

D. Jay Gense, Director gensej@wou.edu or 503-838-8390

Barbara Purvis, Team Lead, Early Identification and Referral Initiative barbara.purvis@hknc.org or 913-677-

4562

Mark Schalock, Evaluation Specialist schalom@wou.edu or 503-838-8777