1. Engaging Families in NH’s Part C Child and Family Outcomes Systems
Presented by: Michelle Lewis (Parent, ICC Vice Chair, New Hampshire PTI)

2. From the Beginning… NH was dedicated to multi-stakeholder input
Families played a key role in all aspects of NH’s GSEG (the development of the family and child outcomes system)
Found new ways to involve families
Distance participation
Informal mentoring
Brief description of NH’s GSEG project and the commitment to multi-stakeholder input – Will focus on the fact that five family organizations were infused in all aspects of the project and successfully recruited many parents to participate – This was due in part to not only multiple methods of involving families but new ways. These included: Forums, surveys, on-line opportunities, distance participation and informal mentoring.

3. The commitment continued…
Family led development of Child Outcomes Brochure
Family members were co-trainers at the Child Outcomes Summary Form (COSF) staff trainings
Family members involved in reviewing and revising the family outcomes survey

4. State Decisions Support Family Involvement in the Outcomes System
Child Outcomes:
Child Outcomes Brochure given to all families so they are fully informed
Families are given the option of being a part of the team that determines their children’s placement on the scale
Programs are given the flexibility to complete COSF form in order to best meet the needs of the family

5. State Decisions Support Family Involvement in the Outcomes System
Family Outcomes:
A parent information sheet is given to parents with the family outcomes survey
A “provider tip sheet” was developed to assist providers in introducing the survey to families
Survey revised by multi-stakeholder group to make it easier for parents to understand

6. Challenges to the Success of the Outcomes Systems
Helping programs understand the importance of collecting family and child outcome data
Increasing response rate of family outcomes survey
Providing on-going staff training on COSF Summary Form
Using family outcomes data to target improvement activities

7. ICC Involvement in the Process
Reviews and provides feedback on child outcomes data
May become an advisory group to the family outcomes survey
Role: Study the issue of survey return rate and make recommendations for improvement strategies

8. Continuing to Gain Family Input - Recommendations
Use state parent organizations to get parent input
Ask families what they think of the child outcomes process
Do they understand the child outcome system?
In what way did they participate in the process?
How did the process feel?
Use feedback from families to improve process
Use families as co-trainers in staff orientation programs

9. For more information…
Michelle Lewis – ext. 14