Tying it All Together

Understanding and Utilizing the Seven Key Principles and the Agreed Upon Practices to Provide Early Intervention Services

Understanding the Documents Mission and Key Principles of Early

Intervention services. http://www.nectac.org/~pdfs/topics/families/Finalmissionandprinciples3_11_08.pdf

Seven Key Principles http://www.nectac.org/~pdfs/topics/families/Principles_LooksLike_DoesntLookLike3_11_08.pdf

Agreed Upon Practices for Providing Early Intervention Services in Natural Environments. http://www.nectac.org/~pdfs/topics/families/AgreedUponPractices_FinalDraft2_01_08.pdf

Understanding the Documents

These 3 documents were developed by the Workgroup on Principles and Practices in Natural Environments. This workgroup was put together by the OSEP TA Community of Practice- Part C Settings.This workgroup was Sponsored by the Office of Special Education Programs, US Department of Education.This workgroup was facilitated by the National Early Childhood TA Center (NECTAC).

Understanding the documentsThe goal of the workgroup was to produce consensus documents on principles and practices of providing services in natural environments that were validated through research, model demonstration, and outreach projects.

Understanding the DocumentsWhat is OSEP? The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) is dedicated

to improving results for infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities ages birth through 21 by providing leadership and financial support to assist states and local districts. It is a department within the Department of Education. OSEP administers the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). IDEA authorizes formula grants to states, and discretionary grants to institutions of higher education and other nonprofit organizations to support research, demonstrations, technical assistance and dissemination, technology and personnel development and parent-training and information centers. These programs are intended to ensure that the rights of infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities and their parents are protected.

Understanding the DocumentsWhat is ECTA Center?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eg_ATOKAL0A&feature=youtu.be

The ECTA Center is developing a system framework for high quality, effective, and efficient Part C and Section 619 programs as one of its initial knowledge development activities over the first two years of its cooperative agreement with OSEP. The work will involve collaboration with national, regional, and state partners

Understanding the Documents Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center Formerly NECTAC Now encompasses NECTAC, CELL, and

TACSEI. Will fold in ECO in year two. http://ectacenter.org/ http://www.earlyliteracylearning.org/ http://www.challengingbehavior.org/ http://projects.fpg.unc.edu/~eco/index.cfm

Mission and Key Principles for Providing Early Intervention Services

in Natural EnvironmentsMission

Part C early intervention builds upon and provides supports and resources to assist family members and caregivers to enhance children’s learning and development through everyday learning opportunities.

Activity #1 The Mission What would you write if you were going

to write up a mission statement based on the medical approach to intervention for your discipline.

How does this mission statement contrast with the mission statement for Part C services in natural environments.

Mission and Key Principles for Providing Early Intervention Services

in Natural Environments1. Infants and toddlers learn best through

everyday experiences and interactions with familiar people in familiar contexts.

Mission and Key Principles for Providing Early Intervention Services

in Natural Environments2. All families, with the necessary

supports and resources, can enhance their children’s learning and development.

Mission and Key Principles for Providing Early Intervention Services

in Natural Environments3. The primary role of a service provider in early intervention is to work with and

support family members and caregivers in children’s lives.

Mission and Key Principles for Providing Early Intervention Services

in Natural Environments4. The early intervention process, from

initial contacts through transition, must be dynamic and individualized to reflect the child’s and family members’ preferences,

learning styles and cultural beliefs.

Mission and Key Principles for Providing Early Intervention Services

in Natural Environments5. IFSP outcomes must be functional and based on children’s and families’ needs

and family-identified priorities.

Mission and Key Principles for Providing Early Intervention Services

in Natural Environments6. The family’s priorities, needs and

interests are addressed most appropriately by a primary provider who

represents and receives team and community support.

Mission and Key Principles for Providing Early Intervention Services

in Natural Environments7. Interventions with young children and

family members must be based on explicit principles, validated practices, best

available research and relevant laws and regulations.

Key Words in the Documents Familiar contexts Supports and resources Family learning styles Family-identified priorities Validated practices Primary Provider

Activity #2 Divide up into 7 groups. Each group is assigned a principle. Discuss in your group the Key Concepts

and the Looks Like/ Doesn’t Look Like for that principle.

Decide on a way to present your principle to the rest of the groups. Make sure to refer to at least one key concept and one example of does vs doesn’t.

Activity #2 Continued Present your Principle to the group and

include any group “aha” moments that you may have discussed when reviewing the principle.

Agreed Upon Practices For Providing Early Intervention Services in Natural Environments This document gives examples of

behaviors and actions from the first contact with the family through transition.

Agreed Upon Practices For Providing Early Intervention Services in Natural Environments Key words and

concepts in this document: Respect Culture Balance (listening and

sharing) Open ended questions System of supports

and services Learning opportunities

Strengths and interest based questions

Formal and informal supports

Observation Equal members Dynamic plans Family centered Concerns, priorities, and

resources Collaborative plans Primary service providers

Agreed Upon Practices For Providing Early Intervention Services in Natural Environments

Measurable Functional Trust and rapport Listen, observe,

model, teach, coach

Reflect

Community activities and informal supports

Acknowledge Celebrate

What is the role of these documents in your program and in your personal practices Ensure familiarity of all team members with these

documents. Tie these documents together with the ITC practice

manual. Identify your programs strengths and concerns

around each key principle. Identify your personal strengths and concerns

around each principle Know the definitions of the language we use in

early intervention and ensure consistency and continuity for families through the process.

Activity # 3 Based on the 3 documents choose one

thing you feel you understand and demonstrate in practice consistently.

Choose one thing you find unclear or difficult to demonstrate consistently in your practice.

Share these with your group. Provide each other with constructive suggestions for improvement.

Next Steps for you and/or your program

Thank you Susan Sigler, CCC-SLPInfant and Toddler Connection of Fairfax-Falls Church

susan.sigler@fairfaxcounty.gov