1. Alignment Across the Ages
The Continuum of Multi-Agency Alignment from Birth to Twenty-One

2. 2019 OSEP Leadership Conference
OSEP Disclaimer
2019 OSEP Leadership Conference
DISCLAIMER:
The contents of this presentation were developed by the presenters for the 2019 OSEP Leadership Conference. However, these contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.
(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1221e-3 and 3474)

3. Meet the Presenters Moderator:
Barbara Van Haren Assistant State Superintendent, WI Dept. of Public Instruction
Panelists
Rorie Fitzpatrick Director, National Center for Systemic Improvement (NCSI) at WestEd
Danielle Howes Part C Program Administrator, Vermont Department for Children and Families
Nancy Mader Director, The LINK Center, Federation for Children with Special Needs
Kristin Wright Special Education Director, California Department of Education

4. Why Systems Alignment Matters
Young children are best served within the context of their families and their communities
Students with disabilities are general education students first
Improved child, family, and student outcomes are waiting!

5. Session Overview Objectives Approach Define systemic alignment
Learn the contexts for examples of the work
Concretize the concept of alignment
Present foundational concepts
Engagement activity
State stories
Reflections and reactions
Whole group dialogue / Q&A

6. What Alignment Means
Multi-agency alignment can be described as several or more organizations partnering to achieve shared desired results

7. Why Alignment Matters in this Context
Efficiency
Shared resources can go further
Redundancy can be avoided
Effectiveness
Early intervention and education supports for children, families, and youth come from multiple systems
No one organization controls all the necessary variables
Contradictory policies, procedures, and practices can be avoided or eliminated

8. What Efficient & Effective Agency Alignment Looks Like

9. Engagement Activity In your organization…
What are some initiatives or projects that either require or would be improved, with good alignment with other agencies?
What is helping with alignment or hindering it in one of these cases?
Make some notes on the graphic organizer (2-3 minutes),
then talk to an elbow partner for 2 minutes each

10. Concretizing the Concept of Alignment
Let’s get to know the agencies represented today…
IDEA Part C — Vermont Department for Children and Families
IDEA Part B —  California Department of Education
Family Supports — Federation for Children with Special Needs

11. VT Department for Children and Families: Vision and Mission
Vision: Vermont’s Early Childhood Personnel Development system prepares and supports professionals to effectively engage with children, families, and systems to realize the promise of every child.
 Mission: Vermont’s Early Childhood Personnel Development system aligns, integrates and coordinates personnel development to equitably prepare, support, and retain qualified personnel across settings and disciplines.

12. VT Part C: Priority Areas
In-Service Personnel Development
In-service personnel development is coordinated across early childhood systems and delivered collaboratively.
Recruitment and Retention
Stakeholder input annually is gathered and assessed to address discipline-specific shortages.
Collaboration
Collaboration leverages resources from multiple agencies/departments to support personnel needs across disciplines.

13. VT Part C: Essential Agency Partners for Collaboration and Alignment
Child Development Division: Child Care, Head Start, Home Visiting, Early Intervention (Part C)
Agency of Education (Part B)
Community College of Vermont
University of Vermont (UCEDD)
Department of Health: Home Visiting, Children with Special Health Needs, Maternal Child Health.
Stakeholders: Child Care & Early Learning Providers, Head Start, Building Bright Futures Council, Home Visitors, Early Intervention, Early Childhood Special Educators

14. California Department of Education: Mission
California will provide a world-class education for all students, from early childhood to adulthood. The Department of Education serves our state by innovating and collaborating with educators, schools, parents, and community partners. Together, as a team, we prepare students to live, work, and thrive in a multicultural, multilingual, and highly connected world.

15. California Education Code: Section 33080 Purpose of the Educational System
“Each child is a unique person, with unique needs, and the purpose of the education system of this state is to enable each child to develop all of his or her own potential.”

16. California Students with Disabilities
795,047 California SWD ages 0-22 were served in the school year. 11.6% of California’s total K-12 student population of 6,186,278 are SWD. 70% of California SWD are also members of additional student groups: socio-economically disadvantaged, English Learners, Foster Youth, and Homeless Youth.

17. California Department of Education – Essential Agency Partners for Collaboration and Alignment
California Collaborative for Educational Excellence
California Commission on Teacher Credentialing
Department of Rehabilitation
Department of Developmental Services
Department of Health Care Services
Department of Social Services
Employment Development Department
Parent Training and Information Centers
California Family Empowerment Centers
California Advisory Commission on Special Education
Numerous California Associations and Membership Organizations
And many more…

18. Federation for Children with Special Needs: Mission
Provides information, support, and assistance to parents of children with disabilities, their professional partners, and their communities. We are committed to listening to and learning from families, and encouraging full participation in community life by all people, especially those with disabilities.

19. Federation for Children with Special Needs: Who We Serve
Parents, families, and students
Professionals
Communities

20. Federation for Children with Special Needs: Essential Agency Partners for Collaboration and Alignment
Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC)
Department of Developmental Services (DDS)
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Community Organizations
School Districts
Special Education Parent Advisory Councils
Family Voices
Family Ties

21. State Stories of Alignment Work

22. Reflections and National Perspectives

23. Dialogue / Q&A

24. 2019 OSEP Leadership Conference
OSEP Disclaimer.
2019 OSEP Leadership Conference
DISCLAIMER:
The contents of this presentation were developed by the presenters for the 2019 OSEP Leadership Conference. However, these contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.
(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1221e-3 and 3474)