1. Improving Child Find Services in Rural Communities U.S. Office of Special Education Programs

2. Overview of DCCP Nationally Level of Children served leveled off unexpectedly. Child find was a concern when Montana went through Part C Federal Monitoring. The Dynamic Community Connections Project was developed to enhance public awareness and the referral process for early intervention services for young children with developmental delays and disabilities and their families in Montana. The Dynamic Community Connections Project was developed to enhance public awareness and the referral process for early intervention services for young children with developmental delays and disabilities and their families in Montana. WhyWhy

3. Part C Requirements for Statewide System “(5) A comprehensive child find system, consistent with part B, including a system for making referrals to service providers that includes timelines and provides for participation by primary referral sources. “(6) A public awareness program focusing on early identification of infants and toddlers with disabilities, including the preparation and dissemination by the lead agency designated or established under paragraph (10) to all primary referral sources, especially hospitals and physicians, of information for parents on the availability of early intervention services, and procedures for determining the extent to which such sources disseminate such information to parents of infants and toddlers. WhyWhy

4. Public Awareness Program Each system must include a public awareness program that focuses on the early identification of children who are eligible to receive early intervention services under this part and includes the preparation and dissemination by the lead agency to all primary referral sources, especially hospitals and physicians, of materials for parents on the availability or early intervention services. The public awareness program must provide for informing the public about -

5. (a)The State’s Early Intervention (EI) program; (b) The child find system 1) Purpose and scope 2) Making referrals 3) Gaining access to evaluations and other EI services (c)The central directory Note 1: Effective public awareness programs 1. Are a continuous, ongoing effort…throughout the state…including rural areas. 2. Provides for the involvement/communication with, major organizations throughout the State that have a direct interest… 3. Reaches the general public…. 4. Includes a variety of methods for informing the public… Public Awareness Program, cont...

6. Comprehensive Child Find System (a)(1) Each system must include a comprehensive child find system that is consistent with part B of the Act… (b)(1) All infants and toddlers in the State who are eligible for services under this part are identified, located, and evaluated.. (c)…coordinated with all other major efforts to locate and identify children conducted by other State agencies responsible for the various education, health, and social service programs,…tribes and tribal organizations…. i. Programs authorized under Part B ii. Maternal and Child Health programs iii. Early Periodic Screening Diagnosis and Treatment program iv. Developmental Disabilities Assistance v. Head Start vi. Supplemental Security Income Program

7. Comprehensive Child Find System, cont… (d) Referral procedures. (1) The child find system must include procedures for use by primary referral sources for referring a child to the appropriate public agency within the system…(2) to ensure that referrals are made no more than two working days after a child has been identified (3) Primary Referral Sources include i. Hospitals, including prenatal/postnatal care facilities ii. Physicians iii. Parents iv. Day care programs v. Local education agencies vi. Public health facilities vii. Other social service agencies viii. Other health care providers

8. Part B Public Law Regarding Child find “(3) Child Find. (A) All children with disabilities residing in the State, including children with disabilities attending private schools, regardless of the severity of their disabilities, and who are in need of special education and related services, are identified, located, and evaluated and a practical method is developed and implemented to determine which children with disabilities are currently receiving needed special education and related services. 300.125 Child find. (a)(1)(i) Highly mobile children with disabilities(such as migrant and homeless children*)… (* Native American population)

9. Foundations & Outcomes Individualized for Local Areas WhatWhat Rural Areas are Unique Parents as Partners is Essential Key Foundations…

10. Foundations & Outcomes Increased # of children served Increased # of children referred Increased # and proportion of infants (0-1 year) served Increased collaboration among local health, human services, education and child care programs WhatWhat Key Outcomes…

11. Resources Developed Manual Guides Agencies through the process Website Resource Library Survey Results from other States Links to useful websites Technical Assistance On-site visits HowHow

12. Local Projects Quality Life Concepts – Hill County Vicki Pfieffer & Bobbi Bevars DEAP – Dawson County Jim Devine Hi-Line Home Programs - Wolf Point Terri Sisson HowHow

13. HillCo Child Find would like to increase public awareness of our services in order to enhance opportunities for children (birth to three) and their families. This project is funded with funds from a grant awarded to the University of Montana by the U.S. Department of Education, and any statements herein do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the above funding source.

14. 1. An increased number of children referred to Early Intervention Services by community referral resources. 240% Increase 2. An increased number of children served under Part C Early Intervention. 13% Increase 3. An increased number of proportion of infants (birth to one year) served under Part C. 18% Increase 4. Increased collaboration linkages and efforts among local health, human service, education and child care providers. 100% Increase

15. What we did. *Teamed with Chippewa-Cree Health Services, Child Care Link, Hill County Health, and two parents. *Gave formal presentations to other child service providers *Provided information and give-aways at multiple fairs (Health Fairs, Children’s Festival, County Fair) *Newsletter and local community newspaper articles *Posters hung in community businesses families utilize *Magnets given to daycare providers to pass on to families

16. Our Poster

17. Promotional Items

18. Successes *Met all outcomes in first year and seeing additional increases in second year!! *Team rapport with strong buy-in in collaboration. *Give-away success: Magnets a HUGE success, jar openers coming in second. These brought potential referral sources (parents and professionals) to the booth who may not otherwise have stopped.

19. In Vain * Mirrors “cracked” as a promotional item. Only one really interested in them: The guy wanted two to use to check car parts from underneath his vehicle.

20. Mission Statement The Community Team would like to increase the general knowledge of the public about our agencies and the services we provide to families and to collaborate with each other to create an across agency child find and referral process.

21. Radio and TV PSA’s Newspaper Advertisement Additional Childfind Early Childhood Intervention Brochure Current Activities more…

22. Developmental Wheel Newsletter Press Release Newspaper Press Release Created a Slogan Current Activities

23. Public Awareness Materials

24. Project’s Outcomes Increase in Referrals Increase in Number of children served Increase in Number of Infants served Increase in Referral Sources more…

25. Project’s Outcomes Medical and Health Care Field Radio and TV stations Elementary School and Head Start Parents to Childcare Providers Collaboration

26. Child Find Projects National Website www.childfindidea.org OSEP Directed Child Find Projects Links to Child Find and other EI Resources