State Systemic Improvement Plans: Why State Agencies Need the EI Research Community and Vice VersaKathleen Hebbeler1, Donna Spiker1, Christina Kasprzak2, & Cornelia Taylor1

1SRI International, 2Frank Porter Graham Child Development Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel HillConference on Research Innovations in Early Intervention (CRIEI)

San Diego, CA February 2016

What is SSIP?• New requirement from the Office of

Special Education Programs (OSEP) for states that puts the focus on achieving results for children and families (and not just compliance).

• State Part C agencies develop and implement a multi-year plan.

Improveresults

Increase capacity of local programs

to implement evidence-based

practices

PhaseI

PhaseII

PhaseIII

Analysis to identify the problem (2014)• Use data to identify causes of poor outcomes• Identify SIMR (state identified measureable result) as focus of plan

Plan for improvement (2015)• Address Infrastructure development, support for local programs,

how will be evaluated• Plan due in April 2016

Implement and evaluate (2016–19)• Implement changes to the infrastructure• Implement activities to support changes in local practice• Conduct evaluation

SSIPs are:Results focusedData driven

What Results Are the Focus of the SSIP?

MH

HI

GU

PWFM

AS

MP

States’ selected SIMRs for Part C FFY 2013 (2013-2014)

LegendChild Outcomes: C3A- Social relationships C3B- Knowledge and skills C3A and C3B C3C- Meeting own needs C3A, B, and C

VI

PRFamily Outcomes:C4A- Know their rightsC4B- Communicate children’s needC4C- Help their children develop and learn

Other- NY: All 3 Family Outcomes + other content; MP: Selected domains from assessment tool

FM, MH, and PW not included in SIMRs

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

Child's social relationships

Child's knowledge and skills

Child takes action to meet needs

Families help their child developand learn

Families effectively communicateneeds

Number of States

State-Identified Measureable Results (SIMR) (N = 61)

Note: Some states selected more than one outcome.

What Are States Doing to Improve Results?

4%11%

15%20%20%

31%38%40%

45%47%47%

53%64%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

TransitionEligibility

Service modelsReferral, Child find

Natural environmentsTeaming

OtherIntervention strategies

IFSP development, qualityFunctional outcomes

Outcome measurementFamily-centered services

Evaluation and assessment

Improvement strategies to strengthen service delivery (N = 55)

4%

4%

5%

14%

25%

34%

43%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

ASD model(s)

Early literacy models including CELL

Home visiting models

Pyramid model (TACSEI)

Other

Routines based intervention (RBI)

Did not name specific model

Improvement strategies incorporating models of evidence-based practices (N = 56)

How Can Researchers Support SSIP Work?• Read your state’s Phase I SSIP

– It is a public document. Search your state’s Part C website for SSIP or APR• Get involved as a stakeholder

– Stakeholder involvement is required• Read the Phase II plan (currently under development)

– What activities are proposed to bring about improved results?• Are these the right activities? Is the intensity sufficient?• Has implementation science been applied?

– Is there a logic model (optional)?• Will the activities lead to the intended outcomes?• Are the assumptions reasonable?

– What will be implemented?• Professional development? Coaching? Evidence-based practices?

– What is being evaluated?• Are the right things being measured in the right way?

– Measures development• Are the measures appropriate?• Do new measures need to be

developed?• Consider partnering with your state

agency– The state will have a lot of data about

EI services and outcomes.– Do you have a student looking for a

project?– Can you assist state staff with:• Evaluation?• Supporting implementation of EBPs?

The contents of this tool and guidance were developed under grants from the U.S. Department of Education, #H373Z120002 and #H326P120002. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. Project Officers: Meredith Miceli, Richelle Davis, and Julia Martin Eile.

For more information, please contact: cornelia.taylor@sri.com

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