Table Discussion #3: Family Engagement by ITCA Infant & Toddler Coordinators Association

States have strategies to ensure that families are referred and engaged so that children receive full benefit of EI services

ideaitca — 2024-08-20 17:31:47 UTC

Parents in PD!

2024-08-25 20:25:27 UTC

Nevada invites parents and representatives from our Parent Training Center to be guest speakers during our developmental specialist required certification coursework. This allows authentic, first hand perspectives which are most impactful for Learners as they connect course content to our vulnerable population.

We're also developing training for parents, virtual at this time.

Strategies

2024-08-25 20:25:54 UTC

Visiting NICU family events monthly to share early intervention referrals and what EI looks like

Regional strategies for Child Find

2024-08-25 20:28:09 UTC

Engage tribal members and leaders in child find in their communities

ICC parent engagement

2024-08-25 20:42:00 UTC

Certain number of slots for parents of younger children. Having requirement for current EI parents is too much turnover. Preschool age is ideal.

TA center does orientation/education for members

Monitoring

2024-08-25 20:53:03 UTC

OSEP is asking for details during DMS. Family survey and documentation is case files doesn't seem to be strong enough evidence. Measuring new initiatives to identify what had more impact in engagement.

Work with Parent Training & Information Center

2024-08-25 20:54:33 UTC

Combined training with parent training and information center on parent leadership in early intervention to support involvement in LICCs.

Strategies

2024-08-25 20:55:17 UTC

Family engagement committee send a family to all the other committee meetings. How'd a position fit Family engagement manager including leading town hall meetings. Starting talking with PTI now to prepare them for DMS visit.

Family Outcome Survey

2024-08-25 21:04:11 UTC

Make sure to distribute while families are active in EI (rather than during exit).

Family stories to start our ICC meetings to help ground our meetings and remind us of the work we are doing.

2024-08-25 21:05:33 UTC

PITC

2024-08-25 21:05:44 UTC

Contracting with PITC to review family- facing materials and create parent handbook.

Looking at shortening the FOS survey and making it more family friendly.

2024-08-25 21:06:00 UTC

Family Survey

2024-08-25 21:06:50 UTC

Feedback loops to families and outreach to complete the Family Outcomes Survey. Call families 5 times and use texting if they do not answer.

PITC

2024-08-25 21:06:59 UTC

Contracting with PITC as central referral and intake provider, increasing parent familiarity with PITC.

Tribal Engagement

2024-08-25 21:07:04 UTC

Ensure tribal representation on SICC. Additionally, creation of state level Tribal Advisory Committee, with representatives from all tribal communities, that provides advisement on how to connect and work with the different tribes on early childhood initiatives/programs.

Measuring Retention

2024-08-25 21:07:08 UTC

Looking at the reasons children exit EI within 6 months of the IFSP could be an indication that EI services did not match expectations

Sensitive, Political Climates

2024-08-25 21:08:11 UTC

Understanding different tactics re parent training centers and ICC, fostering those relationships even during disagreement-- Sandy said to remember, "Friction is what moves us forward."

Put on a training for families to tell their lived experience to help blend their story with the data to help improve the EI system.

2024-08-25 21:08:44 UTC

Strategies

2024-08-25 21:12:11 UTC

Build relationship with PTI

Welcome packets for families with clear expectations

Family engagement groups with different topics to build parents capacity

Understanding where families are before closing cases and how that affects frequency of services

Physicians working at state level on child find efforts and support to families