Improvement Planning Mischele McManus Infant/Toddler and Family Services Office of Early Childhood Education and Family Services July 20, 2007

Submission Information  Improvement plans for service areas that received Needs Assistance Determinations are due September 14,  Send plans to Mischele McManus, preferably electronically at  Plans will be reviewed and approved by Michigan Department of Education (MDE) Early On ® (EO) staff.  You will be notified of approval.

Purposes of Improvement Planning and Quarterly Reporting  To ensure systemic changes that will create significant improvements in child and family outcomes  Allow focus on the results of improvement activities planned to achieve systemic change  Achieve compliance with Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part C regulations and the Michigan State Plan

Your Improvement Planning Team  Early On Coordinator and supervisor(s).  Local Interagency Coordinating Council (LICC) Members.  Other people with expertise and knowledge in the targeted areas.

The Improvement Plan  Must address each indicator highlighted in your determination letter.  Must result in “evidence of change.”

What is “evidence of change”? Record-level data that demonstrates that the area of identified need has been systemically addressed.

Example Indicator 1: Percentage of children who receive the Early Intervention Services on their Individual Family Service Plans (IFSPs) within 30 days of parent consent. Evidence of Change: Quarterly record review of newly enrolled children will demonstrate that more children with IFSPs receive their services within 30 days of parent consent; 65 percent by 12/01, 75 percent by 3/01, 85 percent by 6/01, and 95 percent by 9/01.

The Six Components of the Improvement Plan

1. ACTIVITIES  Must be as specific as possible.  Must be tied directly to analysis of existing data and knowledge of Part C and the local early intervention system.  Must be sequential and targeted.

Example 1. A meeting will be set up between EO and Intermediate School District (ISD) special education staff to review data and discuss timeliness of services. 2. Training on the new EO requirement for timely services within 30 days will be provided to all service providers. 3. New child files will be spot checked monthly for evidence of timely services.

2. TIMELINES  Include specific dates, whenever possible.  If developing or updating a document or form, include the date by which it will be completed.  If reviewing files, include the time frame in which the files will be reviewed.

3. BY WHOM?  Specifically identify the person(s) responsible for completing or supervising each activity.  Specifically identify the person(s). who will be conducting the training  Include each person’s title or role.

4. WHY THIS ACTIVITY?  Why is this activity most appropriate?  What is the relationship between the activity and the evidence of change? EXAMPLE: Because 70 percent of EO services are provided by Special Education, it is necessary for the EO and Special Education staffs to work closely together to increase the timeliness of services.

5. PRODUCTS  List training materials, new forms, new procedures.  List any documentation that shows timelines have been met. EXAMPLE: Training logs, copies of materials given to participants, and meeting minutes.

6. MONITORING & EVALUATION  How will you follow-up/assess the activity?  Describe how each activity will be monitored and maintained by the district to ensure that the expected changes take place.  Must be measurable.  Must be specific, including who will do it and when and how it will be done.

MONITORING & EVALUATION (cont.) EXAMPLE: The EO Coordinator will meet monthly with the Special Education Director to review the timeliness of services for newly enrolled children.

Overwhelmed?

Remember your resources:  Early On Training and Technical Assistance (EOTTA) training specialist  EO state staff  ISD monitor  Other EO coordinators  LICC members

Quarterly progress reporting  You will be assisted by your assigned technical assistance provider (EOTTA).  Reporting forms will be provided, along with finalized Improvement Planning forms by mid-August.  Be specific about how the plan has been implemented in the past three months.

Quarterly progress reporting (cont.)  Include data from file reviews of children newly enrolled in the past three months or available EETRK or other data.  Submission dates are: December 1, March 1, June 1, and September 1.  Submit to Mischele McManus at

Celebrate Improvements!