1. Linda McDowell Susan Edelman Sam Morgan
DB Summit 2016
Linda McDowell
Susan Edelman
Sam Morgan
nationaldb.org
The contents of this presentation were developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education #H326T However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Teaching Research Institute, nor the US Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. Project Officer, Jo Ann McCann.

2. DB Summit 2016 Focus Renewing our understanding of what it means
to provide DB TA as a network;
reflection, conversations and planning
to build and expand our effectiveness
in accomplishing outcomes
for children, families and educational teams
though shared resources
and partnerships.

3. Conversations with DB State Projects Pre-Summit
What does it mean to be a DB TA Network? (the Vision)
Who does what, operationally? (defined roles)
How do we do this efficiently? (Use assets and solutions to barriers)
Consider
Skills we can build upon
Incentives that open doors
Resources that help sustain efforts

4. Thoughts from DB State Projects: Pre-Summit
What’s working in my DB State Project TA delivery
Assets and Solutions (Skills and Incentives)
How I’m benefiting from DB Network Activity
Connections (Resources)
What would help network communication and activity sharing
What makes sense for Year 4 & 5

5. What keeps me going? Time with children & teachers
What families say about how their child’s life changed
Seeing the lives of children & families improve
My benchmarks achieved – at annual report time
Good relationships – in state & across network
Still finding new & exciting ways to do DB TA
Higher levels of networking now – being with like-minded, highly passionate people who “get it”

6. Assets & Solutions for DB State Project TA (Skills and Incentives)
Strong relationships in state – PTI and families, DOE, professional development, state regional service system, partnership with state outreach system, strong advisory board
Grant proposal goals and activities linked to national initiatives (similar to state DOE focus)
DB project structured for capacity building in state – TA request forms, tracking efforts & outcomes
Collaboratives & mentorship across state lines
Improved technology for distance TA, but…
Stages in Intervener service adoption

7. Benefits of DB Network Activity (Resources)
Collective vision; consistent DB knowledge and skill sets for personnel; a national website of national resources
New products disseminated – for all levels of DB TA
Multiple-state DB TA partnerships going well – regional or common issues solved with common solutions
Colleagues sharing (portal and otherwise) – sharpens my tools, keeps me out of ruts; find solutions in situations similar to my own (big state, small state, regional service system, separate school districts); can often build on someone else’s expertise
Can engage in some, but not all efforts – linked to state priorities, but aware of benefits of connecting further
Overwhelmed by DB TA, but helped by the network

8. Recommendations for Network Communication & Activity Sharing
Effective system of accessing NCDB website information & group conversations
Efficient application of information from National Initiative to state DB TA work
Relationship building strategies (to enhance DB TA network collaboration) – in the face of limited face to face time
Increasing state engagement in DB TA portal participation – tapping in & confidently sharing

9. Recommendations for Year 4 & Year 5
With network partnerships; achieve initiative outcomes, everywhere
National survey – descriptive of DB TA recommendations (address student needs, family needs, DB TA practices)
TA Implementation Guide – review and apply, jointly, prior to grant writing (plan for DB TA network collaboration)
Learning of newest DB research & relooking at previous DB TA materials
Keeping up with technology & conversations

10. Strengthening our National Network
Network Engagement as an NCDB goal (an OSEP priority)
Network TWG (technical workgroup)
Summit 2015 – identification of resources, skills and incentives across the network
Recommendations made and steps taken or planned:
State portal
SDBP Profiles
Mentoring activities
Creation of a shared network vision
Action Steps to increase network connectivity and collaboration within the network

11. Strategically Moving Forward…
NCDB Visioning
(APRIL/MAY 2016)
Summit (JULY 2016)
Network Action Plan (FALL 2016)
OSEP Priorities (2017)
Effective, Efficient, Learning, Collaborating of
DB Network Built on a Shared Vision
Susan

12. Development of Vision and Mission
NCDB Staff reflections and draft elements (March, April, May)
Rolled out to states via webinar & posted on State Portal (June)
Comments on Portal, Drop-in Call sessions (July)
Revisions based on input
Draft Vision and Mission Statement (Summit)

13. Vision and Mission 7/30/16 Vision statement (as desired state)
Children and youth who are deaf-blind receive supports and services that allow them to experience full integration and participation in society including education, employment and community living.
Our Mission is to provide parents and the professionals that serve them with....
Opportunities for shared leadership and collaboration;
A national network of supports and services across the age range;
Knowledgeable and qualified personnel; and
Improved system capacity.
25 + states gave input

14. “Managing Complex Change” Lippitt 1987
Susan
Reactive vs Proactive

15. The Day House Keeping Facilitation Forms Breaks Lunch Social
Time keeping from the front
NCDB staff circulating during discussions to answer questions etc.
Groups of 8 to 10 grouped by characteristics (tables labeled)
See Information on summit and process document
Forms
Group form
State form

16. Groups and Facilitation
Each initiative – update and discussion
Discussion guided by…
Change model: skill, incentives, and resources
Guiding questions on forms
Questions from each initiative on the screen
Time keeping from the front
NCDB staff will circulate and participate to answer questions and support conversation
Each group one or two note takers

17. Groupings INITIATIVE GROUPING EI and R
Regional/low incidence infrastructure or
local districts only
Interveners and Qualified Personnel
IHE
DOE
Agency (school f/t deaf and/or blind)
Transition and Family Engagement
Large states or
Small states by region

18. Notes Group Note Taking Form
Each group will produce notes from its discussion (skills, incentives, resources) action/work plan table, if time
NCDB will aggregate and share back
State Forms
For notes that pertain to your state specific work and collaborations, etc.
States share forms with NCDB to assist and support making connections and build collaborative relationships among projects with common interests.
Give all paper forms to Sam Morgan
Take photo of state forms and to
all electronic forms to