Improving Family Outcomes at the Local Level Measuring Child and Family Outcomes Conference Washington, DC 27 August 2008 Don Bailey, RTI International Melissa Raspa, RTI International

Early Childhood Outcomes Center Outcomes Can Be Used to Improve Program Practices

Early Childhood Outcomes Center Assumptions Data patterns can help identify the specific types of improvements needed Program-level data can address general practices and procedures Family-level data can be used to individualize services to improve outcomes

Early Childhood Outcomes Center 5 Types of Family Outcomes (ECO) Understand their child’s strengths, abilities, and special needs (Items 1-3) Know their rights and advocate effectively for their children (Items 4-6) Help their children develop and learn (Items 7-9) Have support systems (Items 10-12) Access desired services, programs, activities in their community (Items 13-15)

Early Childhood Outcomes Center 3 Types of Family Outcomes (OSEP) Percent of families participating in Part C who report that EI services have helped the family Know their rights Effectively communicate their children’s needs Help their children develop and learn

Early Childhood Outcomes Center The Family Outcome Scale (FOS) Family Knowledge and Ability Family Support and Access to Services Helpfulness of EI How much does your family know about helping your child develop and learn? To what extent has early intervention helped your family be able to help your child develop and learn?

Early Childhood Outcomes Center Mean item scores for all families can identify general areas of needed program improvement Family Knowledge and Ability Family Support and Access to Services Helpfulness of EI Aware of services Know rights Helpfulness in knowing rights

Early Childhood Outcomes Center Anderson Family Child has been newly diagnosed with fragile X syndrome and recently started services Do not know a lot about early intervention or how to help child Have a lot of support from family and friends

Early Childhood Outcomes Center The Family Outcome Scale (FOS) Family Knowledge and Ability Family Support and Access to Services Helpfulness of EI

Early Childhood Outcomes Center The Family Outcome Scale (FOS) Family Knowledge and Ability Family Support and Access to Services Helpfulness of EI Understand child’s special needs Help child behave Help when needed

Early Childhood Outcomes Center Smith Family Recently moved from out of state Does not have a lot of friends and family nearby Child has mild form of spina bifida The family is familiar with child’s strengths and needs, but wants more information about community supports

Early Childhood Outcomes Center The Family Outcome Scale (FOS) Family Knowledge and Ability Family Support and Access to Services Helpfulness of EI

Early Childhood Outcomes Center The Family Outcome Scale (FOS) Family Knowledge and Ability Family Support and Access to Services Helpfulness of EI Know about services Have help when needed Child participates in activities

Early Childhood Outcomes Center Thompson Family Child was recently diagnosed with speech-language delays Have an understanding of child’s needs and strengths Have been frustrated with the lack of services from early intervention

Early Childhood Outcomes Center The Family Outcome Scale (FOS) Family Knowledge and Ability Family Support and Access to Services Helpfulness of EI

Early Childhood Outcomes Center The Family Outcome Scale (FOS) Family Knowledge and Ability Family Support and Access to Services Helpfulness of EI Comfortable in meetings EI helped communicate needs EI helped know rights