Overview of the State Performance Plan Development:
Our State Performance
Plan was developed with broad Stakeholder input using our State
Interagency Coordinating Council (ICC). The ICC is made up of a variety
of people, including a Medicaid representative, Division of Children and
Families representative, Early Intervention providers, Insurance
representative, Arkansas Department of Education representative, Early
Childhood representative, medical doctors (pediatricians), parents and
Lead Agency representatives. We held a Stakeholder’s meeting on
September 20, 2005 at which time members of Southeast Regional Resource
Center (SERRC) did a presentation of the State Performance Plan and what
was needed from the Stakeholders. Some of the members chose to send
their responses and ideas via e-mail, (which was encouraged) Arkansas
also used a subcommittee made up of the State ICC and some regional
managers for further input into this plan
We first introduced the SPP to the ICC at the
regular ICC meeting on August 19, 2005. On October 20, 2005 we were
given a small sub-committee to work on the SPP. This sub-committee met
on November 8, 2005 to work on the General Supervision Enhancement Grant
(GSEG) summary for monitoring priority indicator #3. We discussed our
GSEG grant application and the intentions for the use of the GSEG as
outlined in this application
Arkansas had weekly phone conferences with our OSEP
contacts, as well as, our SERRC contact. We had contact also with our
NECTAC representative.
Stakeholders were also asked to review our State
Performance Plan ‘rough draft’, improvement plans and data and to give
input either by e-mail or phone.
The Arkansas State Performance Plan will be
disseminated to the public for review via a ‘Public Hearing’, similar to
the one held for the new policy and State Application and it will be
placed on the Web site. The Arkansas State Performance Plan will also
be available at the office of the Lead Agency.
In Arkansas the Department of Health & Human
Services is the Lead Agency for the Part C program, and is administered
by the Division of Developmental Disabilities Services.
(The following items
are to be completed for each monitoring priority/indicator.)
|
Monitoring
Priority:
Early
Intervention Services In Natural Environments |
(20 USC
1416(a)(3)(A) and 1442)
|
Measurement:
Account for untimely receipt of services.
Arkansas has 2,923 children receiving Early Intervention
Services, however, we are non-compliant in this area as we
currently do not capture the above information in our data
system because we do not have a definition of ‘timely receipt of
services’.
|
Overview
of Issue/Description of System or Process:
Although there is no written criteria or policy of
timeframes for the ‘delivery of services’, it has been the
practice in Arkansas for delivery of service to begin within fourteen
(14) days after the IFSP is completed. The current process is to have
the Service Coordinators to list the ‘Start Date’ on page three (5) of
the IFSP, the ‘Target Completion’ and the ‘Completion Date’. The
service provider enters the actual start date of each objective on page
4. (This may be used to determine how to better track this indicator.)
The Service Coordinators, as instructed by written procedures, are to
check with the family within thirty (30) days to verify that services
have begun. On the child record review, the monitors examine the
“initiation of services to make sure it is ‘timely’ or there is
documentation in the chart as to why services were delayed”. Services,
as denoted on the IFSP, are checked to ensure that frequency, method,
location are in accordance with the IFSP. The licensure quality
assurance monitors review the service, intensity, frequency, method,
location, provider, payment and duration of services in the child
records.
The Service Coordinator will:
- Conduct Quarterly Reviews with Parents
- Conduct Quarterly Progress Update with
Provider
- Contact the parent per IFSP indication of when
they (the parents) want to be contacted
The Quality Assurance (Licensure) Unit does:
- Child Record Reviews (sampling)
- Check the initiation of service and chart
notations
- Service Delivery
- Parent Interviews (done by sampling on audits)
“The purpose of the Child Record Review is to
determine how well the program is meeting the Federal and State Early
Intervention Program requirements; required timelines for providing
early intervention services, the Individual and Family Service Planning
process, assurance that family rights are maintained and appropriate
documentation of other contacts with the child and family.
This review also verifies that the concerns,
priorities and rights of the parents were addressed in the audit
On the Child Record Review the 303.12-18 and
303.344 CFR and Criteria are used to review each case. The monitors
currently review child records for IFSP (initial; 6 months review;
Annual). They also monitor for: Service Coordinator; family’s
concerns, priorities and resources addressed; medical information and
areas of delay. The levels of functioning and natural environments are
also reviewed. The review is continued by monitoring major outcomes
listed; written in family centered language; service delivery and
natural environments.
Baseline
Data for FFY 2004 (2004-2005): AR FFY 2004 - 2005
Discussion of Baseline Data: Our baseline data is taken from the number
of children in the system with IFSPs during the Arkansas FFY 2004-2005.
|
FFY |
Measurable and
Rigorous Target |
|
2005
(2005-2006) |
Arkansas will revise E.I. policy and procedure and IFSP to define ‘timely
delivery of service’. We have already given an assurance that
new policy will be submitted by 6/30/06. We will institute
tracking methods by using the IFSP data entered on SEAS. As a
result, 100% of infants and toddlers with IFSPs will receive the
early intervention services on their IFSP in a timely manner. |
|
2006
(2006-2007) |
100% of infants and toddlers with IFSPs will receive the early
intervention services on their IFSP in a timely manner. |
|
2007
(2007-2008) |
100% of infants and toddlers with IFSPs will receive the early
intervention services on their IFSP in a timely manner. |
|
2008
(2008-2009) |
100% of infants and toddlers with IFSPs will receive the early
intervention services on their IFSP in a timely manner. |
|
2009
(2009-2010) |
100% of infants and toddlers with IFSPs will receive the early
intervention services on their IFSP in a timely manner. |
|
2010
(2010-2011) |
100% of infants and toddlers with IFSPs will receive the early
intervention services on their IFSP in a timely manner. |
Improvement Activities/Timelines/Resources:
The Lead Agency will request additional positions during
the next regular session of the Arkansas General Assembly in order to
meet the federal requirements for the monitoring of services. A task
force has been implemented to look at restructuring the current system
and to advise on procedures and policy that would be needed to both
improve service coordination and improve what monitoring is occurring.
Arkansas is also considering the feasibility of sub-contracting
‘Independent Evaluators’ to make the initial assessment in determining
eligibility. Arkansas is making every effort to make corrections to our
Early Intervention program, as well as, our data collection system.
In February 2006, the Lead Agency will begin training
state staff and service coordinators on use of the new SEAS data
system. This system has data fields which will capture the start date
of services and Arkansas will have more ready access to needed data to
properly monitor and report on this indicator.
Arkansas will:
- Revise the policy/criteria on ‘timely’ service
delivery
- Revise the current IFSP plan with basic
completion instruction on the back of the IFSP plan
- Review the IFSP process to determine the
‘start date’ and to build in a tracking system as to when the
services actually begin, using pages 4 and 5 of the IFSP, data
sheets and billing records
- Train all staff on implementation of new
policy and procedures
- Utilize the various universities and colleges
in each region and work through their department Deans with an
agreement for senior students majoring in Social Work, Psychology,
Early Childhood or Sociology or Parent Training Institute (PTI) to
conduct the parent surveys and parent interviews regarding EI
services.
- Implement a policy on ‘unserved and
underserved’ with regards to any shortage of providers
- Arkansas will get continued technical
assistance from Southeast Regional Resource Center, National Early
Childhood Technical Assistance Center (NECTAC) and NCSEAM.
- Streamline Prior Authorization procedures to
allow shorter time between IFSP development and delivery of the
Prior Authorization to the provider.
- Revise procedure so the Service Coordinator if
notified or contacts the parent by the target date for initiation of
services.
Overview of the State Performance Plan Development:
(The following items
are to be completed for each monitoring priority/indicator.)
|
Monitoring
Priority:
Early
Intervention Services In Natural Environments |
Indicator 2:
Percent of infants
and toddlers with IFSPs who primarily receive early intervention
services in the home or programs for typically developing children.
Overview
of Issue/Description of System or Process:
The multidisciplinary
team does identify the ‘natural environment’ in which early intervention
services will be provided. The IFSP does indicate where the child
spends the majority of his/her time. Should a service not be provided
in the natural environment, the IFSP must contain a statement of
justification of the extent to which the services will not be provided
in the natural environment. The Service Coordinators conduct quarterly
reviews with the parents and quarterly progress update with the
providers. The Quality Assurance Section reviews where the child spends
the majority of time (natural environments) on the case record review,
which is done annually
Baseline
Data for FFY 2004 (2004-2005): AR FFY 2004- 2005
Discussion of Baseline Data: There is a total of 1,222 children in day
programs plus 873 children served at home, which equals 2,095 children
divided by our child count of 2,725, which gives us 77% measurement.
|
FFY |
Measurable and
Rigorous Target |
|
2005
(2005-2006) |
77.2% of infants and toddlers with IFSPs will primarily receive
services in the homes or programs for typically developing
children. |
|
2006
(2006-2007) |
77.5% of infants and toddlers with IFSPs will primarily receive
services in the homes or programs for typically developing
children. |
|
2007
(2007-2008) |
77.6% of infants and toddlers with IFSPs will primarily receive
services in the homes or programs for typically developing
children. |
|
2008
(2008-2009) |
78% of infants and toddlers with IFSPs will primarily receive
services in the homes or programs for typically developing
children. |
|
2009
(2009-2010) |
78.2% of infants and toddlers with IFSPs will primarily receive
services in the homes or programs for typically developing
children. |
|
2010
(2010-2011) |
78.4% of infants and toddlers with IFSPs will primarily receive
services in the home or programs for typically developing
children. |
Improvement Activities/Timelines/Resources:
Once the State has more staff for monitoring, we
will have the ability to monitor this indicator more fully and closely
to make sure the children are NOT in a segregated setting.
Our Service Coordinators currently are
supposed to contact the family as the family has indicated on the IFSP
(page 3 of IFSP). The family indicates how often they will be contacted
and how the family prefers to be contacted.
The revised policy and
procedures will clarify everyone’s roles and responsibilities.
Performance Effectiveness Evaluation Plan (PEEP) data system was
designed to give and keep the State updated on four goals. Goal #1
Infants and toddlers with disabilities will have an accountable IFSP
that is linked to statewide appropriate activities that are enhanced
by parents and providers. Category #7 on this form indicates
documentation of provision of early intervention
services in a natural environment. It shows the number of children
placed in the natural environment; children outside of the natural
environment; children whose services are all center based; children
whose services are home based and children who have a combination of
center and home based services. Goal #2 Increase the number of
infants and toddlers with disabilities referred, evaluated, and
receiving services. Goal #3 Infants and toddlers with disabilities
will maximize potential based on age appropriate skills of normal
development and attain skills necessary for transition. Goal #4
Through professional development and information sharing
opportunities, staff and parents receive the information needed to
work collaboratively to accomplish the outcomes identified on the
IFSP.
Arkansas will be utilizing the new Special Education Automation
Systems (SEAS) and this new system will have the ability to capture
more data and information the IDEA is requiring.
Arkansas will:
-
Rewrite policy to include ‘Natural Environment’ justification
-
Develop a plan to monitor the justifications more closely
-
Revise the language on the IFSP concerning the ‘Natural
Environments’ and the justifications
-
Provide training to the DDTCS, providers, Service Coordinators
and parents on the benefits of ‘Natural Environments’ and the
Public Law and the reasons for service settings
-
Work to improve public awareness of ‘Natural Environment’
-
Arkansas will identify reasons why more services are not
provided in the Natural Environment such as lack of providers;
provider attitude/training; family needs/desires; poor team
process
-
The role of the family will be re-emphasized in working on
outcomes in natural environment
Overview of the State Performance Plan Development:
(The following items
are to be completed for each monitoring priority/indicator.)
|
Monitoring
Priority:
Early
Intervention Services In Natural Environments |
(20 USC
1416(a)(3)(A) and 1442)
|
Measurement:
NEW
INDICATOR - DUE IN 2007
a.
Percent of infants and toddlers who reach or maintain
functioning at a level comparable to same-aged peers = # of
infants and toddlers who reach or maintain functioning at a
level comparable to same-aged peers divided by # of infants and
toddlers with IFSPs assessed times 100.
b.
Percent of infants and toddlers who improve functioning =
# of infants and toddlers who improved functioning divided by #
of infants and toddlers with IFSPs assessed times 100.
a.
Percent of infants and toddlers who reach or maintain
functioning at a level comparable to same-aged peers = # of
infants and toddlers who reach or maintain functioning at a
level comparable to same-aged peers divided by # of infants and
toddlers with IFSPs assessed times 100.
b.
Percent of infants and toddlers who improved functioning
= # of infants and toddlers who improved functioning divided by
# of infants and toddlers with IFSPs assessed times 100.
a.
Percent of infants and toddlers who reach or maintain
functioning at a level comparable to same-aged peers = # of
infants and toddlers who reach or maintain functioning at a
level comparable to same-aged peers divided by # of infants and
toddlers with IFSPs assessed times 100.
b.
Percent of infants and toddlers who improved functioning
= # of infants and toddlers who improved functioning divided by
# of infants and toddlers with IFSPs assessed times 100.
If
children meet the criteria for a, report them in a. Do not
include children reported in a in b or c. If a + b + c does not
sum to 100%, explain the difference.
|
Overview
of Issue/Description of System or Process:
General Supervision Enhancement Grant (GSEG)
This was a grant jointly applied for by the
Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) and the Arkansas Department of
Health and Human Services (DHHS). The intent was to develop methods,
using the Arkansas Frameworks for birth to five year olds, to capture
information on the improvement of children’s development in the Early
Intervention program, as well as, Part B program.
Through our collaboration and coordination, the ADE
and ADHHS will ensure an ongoing process to improve early intervention
services and special education and related services provided to children
and youth with disabilities and their families in the State of
Arkansas.
It is the intent of Arkansas Department of
Education and Arkansas Department of Health and Human Services to have a
two-fold emphasis: 1.) development of outcome measurement system for
Part C Infants and toddlers and Part B preschoolers with disabilities
and 2.) on smooth transition for children and families from Part C to
Part B programs.
We focused on the following four critical elements
of accountability:
·
Child Outcome – Maximizing child opportunities for
favorable developmental outcomes
·
Family Outcome – Strengthening family capacity to be
partners in the decision making process for positive child outcomes
through technical and social support
·
Personnel Outcome - Increasing competency of all
personnel serving infants and toddlers (Part C) and preschool
(Part B) in using the outcome based system
·
System Outcome – Increasing collaboration and coordination
across services (Part C and Part B) to ensure smooth implementation of
outcome-based system for children and families.
Our anticipated benefit of the GSEG will be to
improve the effectiveness of early intervention and early childhood
programs in increasing favorable developmental outcomes for young
children with disabilities to help prepare them for success in the least
restrictive school setting.
Once the indicator measurement system is
established and supported with the technology infrastructure to collect,
analyze and report data to measure the effectiveness of the programs, it
will continue without additional funding. The ADE and the ADHHS
will continue to provide training to service providers in using the
outcome system and families will continue to receive parent opportunity.
Baseline
Data for FFY 2004 (2004-2005): AR FFY 2005 - 2006
Discussion of Baseline Data: NEW INDICATOR
Describe How Data will be collected:
Data for this indicator will be collected via
the new Special Education Automation Systems (SEAS). The SEAS program
will have the ability to capture the child outcomes and improvements.
SAMPLING METHODOLOGY:
Background:
The Division of Developmental Disabilities Services
(DDS) requested that Research and Statistics provided a valid
methodology for two samples for their Arkansas State Performance Plan.
Objective:
Provide two separate samples for an infant/toddler
and parent population using the guidelines set by the Office of Special
Educations Programs.
Plan:
DDS will provide Research and Statistics two
population files for each group using the DDS ID number and Social
Security number to identify each child/parent.
Research and Statistics will use these files to
pull two automated Simple Random Samples at a 95% Confidence Level with
a 5% margin of error. A 10% over sample will be included with each
sample.
Contact Persons:
Arkansas Department of Health and Human Services;
Division of Developmental Disabilities Services: Sharon Mitchel,
(501-682-8703) and Research and Statistics Unit: Lyle Jackson,
Statistical Manager (501-682-6261)
|
FFY |
Measurable and
Rigorous Target |
|
2005
(2005-2006) |
NEW INDICATOR |
|
2006
(2006-2007) |
Arkansas will aim for 100% compliance. |
|
2007
(2007-2008) |
Arkansas will aim for 100% compliance. |
|
2008
(2008-2009) |
Arkansas will aim for 100% compliance. |
|
2009
(2009-2010) |
Arkansas will aim for 100% compliance. |
|
2010
(2010-2011) |
Arkansas will aim for 100% compliance |
Improvement Activities/Timelines/Resources:
Arkansas will:
-
Decide on the best method/test to use on children to
indicate improvements
·
Collect
data on infant and toddler improvements by requiring that Annual Goals
be written to reflect improvement to chronological age and/or require
providers to age levels to their objectives, which would allow us to
track improvement through progress on goals and objectives.
·
Train the
state staff on the use of SEAS and the entering of data correctly.
·
Educate
the providers on the new requirement of child outcomes.
Overview of the State Performance Plan Development:
(The following items
are to be completed for each monitoring priority/indicator.)
|
Monitoring
Priority:
Early
Intervention Services In Natural Environments |
Indicator 4:
Percent of families
participating in Part C who report that early intervention services have
helped the family:
A. Know their
rights;
B. Effectively
communicate their children's needs; and
C. Help their
children develop and learn.
(20 USC
1416(a)(3)(A) and 1442)
|
Measurement: NEW INDICATOR DUE: 2007
A. Percent
= # of respondent families participating in Part C who report
that early intervention services have helped the family know
their rights divided by the # of respondent families
participating in Part C times 100.
B. Percent
= # of respondent families participating in Part C who report
that early intervention services have helped the family
effectively communicate their children's needs divided by the #
of respondent families participating in Part C times 100.
C. Percent
= # of respondent families participating in Part C who report
that early intervention services have helped the family help
their children develop and learn divided by the # of respondent
families participating in Part C times 100.
|
Overview
of Issue/Description of System or Process:
Arkansas will have a monitoring tool which includes
all components of Part C of IDEA and an assessment of:
Ø
Service Coordination activities & requirements for the
development of the IFSP
Ø
Family needs, including needed supports and services
identified and included on the IFSP as family outcomes.
Ø
Proper procedures utilized to determine eligibility
Ø
Service level determination process and trends
Ø
More discussion and information provided to the parent
prior to the IFSP meeting about eligibility and level of service that
the team will need to made decisions about. This may be tracked through
the monitoring parent interview or parent questionnaire.
Results will be obtained through multiple methods;
record review including data records as well as child record review,
annual assessment, parent interview and 618 data verification.
Monitoring and supervision activities will be in
place to ensure compliance with Part C of IDEA regardless of funding
source and/or service delivery site. Each local service coordination
and service provision entity will be able to identify and address areas
of non-compliance and needed improvement as a result of monitoring. The
monitoring process will include a parent survey to obtain parental input
into the program’s operation. Parents surveyed will indicate that they
know their rights as a parent and had input into the evaluation and
planning process for their child. Family concerns or requests for more
information about their rights, their child’s needs, or how to help
their child learn will be reviewed by the team and addressed on page 3
of the IFSP.
Monitoring and supervision activities will be in
place to ensure compliance with Part C of IDEA regardless of funding
source and/or service delivery site. Each local service coordination
and service provision entity will be able to identify and address areas
of non-compliance and needed improvement as a result of monitoring. The
monitoring process will include a parent survey to obtain parental input
into the program’s operation. Parents surveyed will indicate that they
know their rights as a parent and had input into the evaluation and
planning process for their child.
All
verbal and written complaints received will be included on the
tracking log and resolved within required timeframes as defined by
IDEA. Data will be maintained on all request for services that in
unmet need and/or delay of implementation of IFSP due to lack of
adequate providers. This log will include identification of
unserved/underserved population and/or geographical location,
service requested, certification and/or licensing required to
provide service, technical assistance and/or support provided to
establish provider and resolution. (NEW TARGET)
Baseline
Data for FFY 2004 (2004-2005): AR FFY 2006 - 2007
Discussion of Baseline Data:
SAMPLING
METHODOLOGY:
SAMPLING METHODOLOGY:
Background:
The Division of Developmental Disabilities Services
(DDS) requested that Research and Statistics provided a valid
methodology for two samples for their Arkansas State Performance Plan.
Objective:
Provide two separate samples for an infant/toddler
and parent population using the guidelines set by the Office of Special
Educations Programs.
Plan:
DDS will provide Research and Statistics two
population files for each group using the DDS ID number and Social
Security number to identify each child/parent.
Research and Statistics will use these files to
pull two automated Simple Random Samples at a 95% Confidence Level with
a 5% margin of error. A 10% over sample will be included with each
sample.
Contact Persons:
Arkansas Department of Health and Human Services;
Division of Developmental Disabilities Services: Sharon Mitchel,
(501-682-8703) and Research and Statistics Unit: Lyle Jackson,
Statistical Manager (501-682-6261)
|
FFY |
Measurable and
Rigorous Target |
|
2005
(2005-2006) |
NEW INDICATOR |
|
2006
(2006-2007) |
Arkansas aims to have 100% compliance. |
|
2007
(2007-2008) |
Arkansas aims to have 100% compliance. |
|
2008
(2008-2009) |
Arkansas aims to have 100% compliance. |
|
2009
(2009-2010) |
Arkansas aims to have 100% compliance. |
|
2010
(2010-2011) |
Arkansas aims to have 100% compliance. |
Improvement Activities/Timelines/Resources:
Integration of the monitoring tool into the data
management system will be implemented. This will allow for
consolidation of collection, analysis reporting and
integration of data as it relates to improving efforts of public
awareness and child find, referral and referral source information,
existence and appropriate use of and documentation of services,
transition and service coordination activities. (NEW TARGET)
Service Coordinators, related support personnel to the EI Program
and Service Providers will exhibit knowledge of ‘family rights’ as
measured by performance documented on reviews and through
participation in competency-based training. (The training unit
should develop a training similar to the surrogate parent training
which can be provided by a service coordinator, parent volunteer, or
Parent Training and Information Network.)
Arkansas has a 1-800 number on our Web site and it is available to
the public.
The
Family Survey currently addresses the services the child receives,
the family outcomes and the timeliness of the transition process.
Arkansas is considering ways to revise and improve the Family
Survey.
The current Client Interview tool is used either face to
face or by phone. Questions are asked about services; quarterly contact
by the Service Coordinator; transitions process
The Parent Training and Information Network (PTI) will do
‘Focus’ groups, with the assistance of the state staff, to further
educate parents and providers in all six regions of the State of
Arkansas.
Describe How Data will be collected:
Arkansas Family Survey
Licensure Monitoring
Quality
Assurance Monitoring by State Staff
Overview of the State Performance Plan Development:
(The following items
are to be completed for each monitoring priority/indicator.)
|
Monitoring
Priority:
Effective
General Supervision Part C / Child Find |
(20 USC
1416(a)(3)(B) and 1442)
|
Measurement:
A.
Comparison of Arkansas to other States with similar
eligibility definitions:
State Age 0 to 1
Percent
Arkansas 260
.002%
Alabama 216
.001%
Maryland 763 .003%
Virginia 579
.002%
B.
National Average –- 0 – 1 39,021 ……… …003%
(U.S. and D.C.)
(The above information was taken from IDEA.ORG – Table 2.) |
Overview
of Issue/Description of System or Process:
The lead agency, with assistance from the State
Interagency Coordinating Council, makes every effort to coordinate with
other major efforts in the state to identify, locate, and evaluate all
children eligible for services. The First Connections Child Find system
is consistent with Part B of the IDEA. An ongoing Child Find effort
exists to inform the community about the right to and the availability
of early intervention services for children with disabilities.
The child find system policies and procedures
insure that:
- All infants and toddlers in the State who are
eligible for services are identified, located, and evaluated through
statewide and regional Child Find campaigns that are coordinated
with the Arkansas Department of Education and/or by primary referral
sources through staff/contracted DDS Service Coordinators.
Currently, state staff and local providers interact with local
physicians, health units and social service agencies, present at
state conferences and regional health fairs, and participate in
Local ICC to increase public awareness of the state Part C program.
A report will be generated on a monthly basis, which will identify
the children referred, their county of residence, the referral
source, and the outcome of the referral.
- Through the Data Collection process, an
effective method had been developed and implemented to determine
which children are receiving needed early intervention services, and
which children are not receiving those services. A quarterly report
will be generated which will identify the services included in each
IFSP developed. This report will be cross-referenced with the
billing report to verify services included on the IFSP are being
provided. Use of data is subject to confidentiality requirements.
We have public awareness brochures available to
everyone in the State through Arkansas Special Education Research
Resource Center (ASERRC). There is currently a web site that materials
can be ordered and tracked.
Baseline
Data for FFY 2004 (2004-2005): AR FFY 2004 - 2005
Discussion of Baseline Data:
Using 618
Data from 2004, Arkansas served 311 infants birth to 12 months out of a
population of 1,021 or .83%. In comparison to other States with similar
broad eligibility definitions (excluding at risk children from the
number). Arkansas ranks number 18 in serving the birth to one
population.
(REF.
http://www.federalresourcecenter.org/frc/sppc.htm)
|
FFY |
Measurable and
Rigorous Target |
|
2005
(2005-2006) |
Arkansas will serve .83% of the birth to 12 month population,
which is just slightly below the National average. |
|
2006
(2006-2007) |
Arkansas will serve .84% of the birth to 12 month population. |
|
2007
(2007-2008) |
Arkansas will serve .85% of the birth to 12 month population |
|
2008
(2008-2009) |
Arkansas will serve .86% of the birth to 12 month population |
|
2009
(2009-2010) |
Arkansas will serve .87% of the birth to 12 month population |
|
2010
(2010-2011) |
Arkansas will serve .88% of the birth to 12 month population |
Improvement Activities/Timelines/Resources:
The local ICCs will be doing more child-find
activities. They are currently working on a definitive child-find plan
and public awareness plan of action which they will implement within
2006. The Local ICCs will also target Arkansas Health Education Centers
(AHEC), (they are responsible for training doctors), located around the
State of Arkansas to disseminate Early Intervention information to their
patients and to train doctors on Early Intervention referrals.
The Child Find Committee has established a web site
(http://www.archildfind.org),
which will give access to all Child Find resource materials, including
the new brochures and provide parent information, helpful contacts,
program fact sheets, parent input surveys and evaluations. Brochures
can be ordered online by anyone in the State. There is also a survey on
this web site that must be completed before the second order of
materials. This survey will give the number of brochures ordered; who
ordered them and distribution information.
Arkansas will focus more Child Find efforts into
the Southeast part of the State, as it has the lowest numbers. We will
target this area of the State aggressively within this year and bring
the numbers up. Also, more outreach will be done with non-English
speaking populations, especially Hispanic and Marshallese through local
cultural organizations, health and social service providers and
churches.
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