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

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

Videoconferencing Videoconsults Videoclinics Tandberg 1500MXP videoconference units were installed at each WATCH site beginning in December of 2005. 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.)

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.

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 $7,000.00 in travel mileage and 215 hours in travel time. Average savings per videoclinic is 309 miles ($156.00) and 5 hours in travel time.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

“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.”

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

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).

                                                             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.