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Maureen Sullivan Vermonts Family Infant and Toddler Program October 7, 2009 Understanding and Utilizing Family Survey Data

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Vermonts Data Collection Process Use ECO Family Outcomes Survey Conducted annually First year used the complete survey (18 questions) All families receive survey who are in program a minimum of 6 months Including families exited within last 6 months Mailed survey Includes cover letter, demographic/comments page and SASE

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Ensuring Quality of Our Data Return rate over three years Representation from all regions and populations served Family/child characteristics are comparable over time

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Understanding and Utilizing Family Survey Our Process: I. Data Analysis II. Dissemination and Interpretation III. Prioritizing and Planning

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OSEP Indicators 4a, 4b and 4c: Statewide Results (2006 2008) Data Analysis (2008)

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OSEP Indicators 4a, 4b and 4c: Regional Results Data Analysis (2008)

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ECO Family Survey Outcomes 1. Understanding your childs strengths, abilities and special needs (questions 1 3) 2. Knowing your rights and advocating for your child (questions 4 5) 3. Helping your child develop and learn (questions 6 9) 4. Having support systems (questions 10 12) 5. Accessing your community (questions 13 15) 6. The helpfulness of early intervention (questions 16 18) = OSEP Indicators 4a, 4b and 4c.

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ECO Family Survey: Statewide Response to Questions 1 - 15 Data Analysis (2008)

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ECO Outcome 2: Knowing your rights and advocating for your child : 4. A variety of programs and services may be available to help your child and family. How much does your family know about the programs and services that are available? 5. Families often meet with early intervention professionals to plan services or activities. How comfortable is your family participating in these meetings? 6. Families of children with special needs have rights, including what to do if you are not satisfied. How familiar is your family with your rights?

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4a: Knowing Your Rights and Advocating for Your Child: Data Analysis (2008)

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4a: Knowing Your Rights and Advocating for Your Child: Data Analysis (2008)

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4a: Knowing Your Rights and Advocating for Your Child: Data Analysis (2008)

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Link findings with other characteristics: Data Analysis (2008)

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II. Dissemination and Interpretation: Discussions with our Stakeholders Create Reports: statewide and regional profiles Review family comments Family Focus Forums Present data to ICC and Host Agency Directors State TA liaisons work with their regions

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III. Prioritization and Planning for change: Priorities are established in conversations with stakeholders Identify practices in regions related to successful outcomes Concerns are discussed with regions and identified in determination letters Regions develop wellness plans (PIP)

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Lessons Learned: Engaging regions in discussing the importance of outcome research and in planning distribution strategies equals proactive partners! Linking data to family/child characteristics helps support future planning Involving stakeholders at every level contributes to statewide discussion, gathers range of perspectives and supports adoption of the survey in other programs Family comments help to clarify the data.