Maureen Sullivan Vermonts Family Infant and Toddler Program
October 7, 2009 Understanding and Utilizing Family Survey Data
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Vermonts Data Collection Process Use ECO Family Outcomes Survey
Conducted annually First year used the complete survey (18
questions) All families receive survey who are in program a minimum
of 6 months Including families exited within last 6 months Mailed
survey Includes cover letter, demographic/comments page and
SASE
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Ensuring Quality of Our Data Return rate over three years
Representation from all regions and populations served Family/child
characteristics are comparable over time
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Understanding and Utilizing Family Survey Our Process: I. Data
Analysis II. Dissemination and Interpretation III. Prioritizing and
Planning
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OSEP Indicators 4a, 4b and 4c: Statewide Results (2006 2008)
Data Analysis (2008)
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OSEP Indicators 4a, 4b and 4c: Regional Results Data Analysis
(2008)
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ECO Family Survey Outcomes 1. Understanding your childs
strengths, abilities and special needs (questions 1 3) 2. Knowing
your rights and advocating for your child (questions 4 5) 3.
Helping your child develop and learn (questions 6 9) 4. Having
support systems (questions 10 12) 5. Accessing your community
(questions 13 15) 6. The helpfulness of early intervention
(questions 16 18) = OSEP Indicators 4a, 4b and 4c.
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ECO Family Survey: Statewide Response to Questions 1 - 15 Data
Analysis (2008)
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ECO Outcome 2: Knowing your rights and advocating for your
child : 4. A variety of programs and services may be available to
help your child and family. How much does your family know about
the programs and services that are available? 5. Families often
meet with early intervention professionals to plan services or
activities. How comfortable is your family participating in these
meetings? 6. Families of children with special needs have rights,
including what to do if you are not satisfied. How familiar is your
family with your rights?
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4a: Knowing Your Rights and Advocating for Your Child: Data
Analysis (2008)
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4a: Knowing Your Rights and Advocating for Your Child: Data
Analysis (2008)
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4a: Knowing Your Rights and Advocating for Your Child: Data
Analysis (2008)
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Link findings with other characteristics: Data Analysis
(2008)
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II. Dissemination and Interpretation: Discussions with our
Stakeholders Create Reports: statewide and regional profiles Review
family comments Family Focus Forums Present data to ICC and Host
Agency Directors State TA liaisons work with their regions
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III. Prioritization and Planning for change: Priorities are
established in conversations with stakeholders Identify practices
in regions related to successful outcomes Concerns are discussed
with regions and identified in determination letters Regions
develop wellness plans (PIP)
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Lessons Learned: Engaging regions in discussing the importance
of outcome research and in planning distribution strategies equals
proactive partners! Linking data to family/child characteristics
helps support future planning Involving stakeholders at every level
contributes to statewide discussion, gathers range of perspectives
and supports adoption of the survey in other programs Family
comments help to clarify the data.