Implementing the Child Outcomes Summary Process: Challenges, strategies, and benefits July, 2011 Welcome to a presentation on implementation issues related to using the Child Outcomes Summary process for measuring child outcomes. In implementing the Child Outcomes Summary process, states have discovered several important challenges, and have also developed strategies for addressing those challenges. At the same time, states have also discovered and articulated several important BENEFITS related to the use of the Child Outcomes Summary process. We will explore these issues in the following slides.

Purpose This session outlines essential knowledge needed to effectively implement the Child Outcomes Summary Form (COSF) process. Participants will identify challenges, strategies, and resources needed to address those challenges Participants will discuss benefits of an effective COSF process

Essential knowledge for an effective Child Outcomes Summary Form (COSF) process Assessment Working as a team Functional outcomes Age-expected child development Involving families An effective Child Outcomes Summary Form process depends on many factors, including the ability to access information about the child’s functioning in the various settings that make up his or her everyday life. Team members should have a good understanding of age-expected child development in the three outcome areas, and be sure they understand the 7 points on the rating scale. The team also needs to be sensitive to cultural differences that affect families’ expectations for their child’s development, and be able to work together throughout the process. The next several slides offer examples of essential knowledge in these areas.

Essential knowledge: Assessment Gathering assessment data to reflect functioning across settings and situations, especially gathering information on child functioning from families Understanding the content of the three child outcomes and how to use the rating scale Understanding the results of assessment data gathered by others Sharing assessment results sensitively and honestly with families One of the first challenges teams have identified when using the summary process is making sure they have enough functional assessment information to determine a rating on the 7 point scale. States and programs have different policies on how families are involved in determining the actual rating of the child’s functioning. However, assessment practices need to include gathering information about the child’s functioning in everyday life- this typically includes information from the child’s family, child care providers, and others who spend time with the child in various settings. Teams need to be skilled at communicating with families for purposes of both gathering information about the child, and sharing assessment information back with families.

Essential knowledge: Working as a team Effective communication among professionals from different disciplines working together as a team Defining the role(s) of team members in the COSF process Handling differences in opinion about the rating Utilizing the skills and strengths of individuals and multiple disciplines in the process Communicating with one another about a child’s development can also be challenging for teams. Team members need the time and the willingness to share functional information with one another about the child, and having multiple sources of information adds to the validity of the rating. The rating must be a team decision (including the family!), not the opinion of one team member.

Essential knowledge: Functional outcomes The meaning of “functional” outcomes: that they are meant to reflect the child’s ability to integrate skills across domains in order to get along with others, learn, and get their needs met. How to use outcome information organized around domains The difference between the broad outcomes we measure for accountability and the individual outcomes/goals we write for IFSPs and IEPs.

Essential knowledge: Age-expected child development The functional expectations for children at different ages with regard to each of the three outcomes The extent to which a child shows age-appropriate functioning, across a variety of settings and situations, in each outcome area Understanding age expectations for child functioning within the child’s culture Another essential area of knowledge for teams is the comparison of children’s skills and behaviors to those of their same-aged peers. To determine a rating in the child outcome summary process, teams must make that comparison. In other words, team members need to have a working knowledge of the skills and behaviors that are expected of children who are developing according to age expectations in the three outcome areas.

Essential knowledge: Involving families Communicating with families about the child’s functioning at home and with family Talking with families about assessment results in ways that are - Sensitive - Accurate - Meaningful Communication skills for working with diverse types of families, of differing economic status, language, culture, family composition, etc. Utilizing family information is a key component of the child outcomes summary process. Team members need to be able to communicate with families about their children’s development, including both gathering information from families about their child’s functioning, and sharing assessment results with families. Team members need to have skills and support in working with a diverse group of children and families, encompassing differences such as economic, language, culture, and family composition, among others.

Benefits of the COSF Process What do you see as some benefits in using the COSF process? For children? For families? For providers and staff? For the program or district? For the state? Some of what we have heard about how participation in the outcomes summary process benefits teams and programs: The collaborative nature of the process ‘forces’ staff to communicate with one another. The functional nature of the outcomes process has improved the functionality of IFSP and IEP goals. Families have expressed appreciation for a more functional, and less domain-specific, conversation about how their children are socializing, learning, and learning to get their own needs met. Opportunities to collaborate with other staff, other programs Stronger collaboration between Part C and preschool (especially when both programs are using the COSF) Improved IFSP/IEP goals Improved communication with families about child’s functioning

Multiple skills, multiple challenges Use the implementation worksheet to discuss the process in small groups: COSF Implementation Issues worksheet What challenges are you facing in implementing the COSF process? What strategies might help address the challenges you discussed? With the vast array of essential skills and required of providers throughout the process, it is not surprising that there are multiple challenges. Limited staff development time Learning age-expected child development Working as a team Including families Shift toward thinking functionally

Discussion: Challenges and Strategies Facilitate discussion and brainstorming strategies: Collaboration Strategies: Collaboration with other programs – preschool and infant-toddler Input from child care, general education and preschool teachers Select a tool that helps develop functional IFSP/IEP goals Use of Early Learning Guidelines Using assessment tools designed for developing functional IFSP and IEP goals to help the teams think more functionally’ Strategies: Training Focus groups scheduled throughout the year for teachers and providers Training materials that include video Individual assistance as needed COSF training integral part of staff development Training modules available on line Strategies: Information sharing Phone conferences Scheduling meetings to coincide with IFSP/IEP team meetings Shared folder on program site that is password protected Topical monthly teleconferences for training and feedback Practice, practice, practice with the 7-point scale and documentation! Other strategies Shift training and practice to incorporate functional assessments and writing functional IFSP/IEP goals Establishing core competencies Incorporating staff feedback into plans for staff development

Follow up: Implementation issues for your program Training materials are available on the ECO website: COSF Training materials and Activities State-Developed Training Materials Email us at: staff@the-eco-center.org Visit us online at: www.the-eco-center.org What are the implementation issues related to the child outcomes summary process that your team is facing? During your next staff development opportunity, you may wish to discuss these issues, as well as strategies for ensuring an effective outcomes summary process. The discussion guide at this link provides an outline for discussion of these issues. Additional resources are also available on the ECO website