Improving Family Outcomes at the

Local Level

Measuring Child and Family Outcomes ConferenceWashington, DC27 August 2008

Don Bailey, RTI InternationalMelissa Raspa, RTI International

Early Childhood Outcomes Center

Outcomes Can Be Used to Improve Program Practices

Needs

Family

Concerns

Resources Priorities

Goals

ChildDevelopmental Status

Functional Abilities

Disability Type

Learning Style

Early Intervention

Child-Focused Services

Family-Focused Services

· Demonstrate positive social – emotional skills

· Acquire and use knowledge and skills

· Use appropriate behavior to meet needs

· Understand child’s abilities and special needs

· Know rights and advocate effectively

· Help child develop and learn

· Have support systems· Access the community

Child Outcomes

Family Outcomes

Early Childhood Outcomes Center

Assumptions

Data patterns can help identify the specific types of improvements needed

Program-level data can address general practices and procedures

Family-level data can be used to individualize services to improve outcomes

Early Childhood Outcomes Center

5 Types of Family Outcomes (ECO) Understand their child’s strengths, abilities, and

special needs (Items 1-3) Know their rights and advocate effectively for

their children (Items 4-6) Help their children develop and learn (Items 7-9) Have support systems (Items 10-12) Access desired services, programs, activities in

their community (Items 13-15)

Early Childhood Outcomes Center

3 Types of Family Outcomes (OSEP) Percent of families participating in Part C

who report that EI services have helped the family Know their rights Effectively communicate their children’s

needs Help their children develop and learn

Early Childhood Outcomes Center

The Family Outcome Scale (FOS)

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18I tems

Resp

onse

Family Knowledge and Ability

Family Support and Access to

Services

Helpfulnessof EI

How much does your family know

about helping your child develop and

learn?

To what extent has early intervention helped your family

be able to help your child develop and

learn?

Early Childhood Outcomes Center

Mean item scores for all families can identify general areas of needed program improvement

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18I tems

Resp

onse

Family Knowledge and Ability

Family Support and Access to

Services

Helpfulnessof EI

Aware of services

Know rights

Helpfulness in knowing rights

Early Childhood Outcomes Center

Anderson Family Child has been newly diagnosed

with fragile X syndrome and recently started services

Do not know a lot about early intervention or how to help child

Have a lot of support from family and friends

Early Childhood Outcomes Center

The Family Outcome Scale (FOS)

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18I tems

Resp

onse

Family Knowledge and Ability

Family Support and Access to

Services

Helpfulnessof EI

Early Childhood Outcomes Center

The Family Outcome Scale (FOS)

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18I tems

Resp

onse

Family Knowledge and Ability

Family Support and Access to

Services

Helpfulnessof EI

Understand child’s special needs

Help child behave

Help when needed

Early Childhood Outcomes Center

Smith Family Recently moved from out of state Does not have a lot of friends and

family nearby Child has mild form of spina bifida The family is familiar with child’s

strengths and needs, but wants more information about community supports

Early Childhood Outcomes Center

The Family Outcome Scale (FOS)

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18I tems

Resp

onse

Family Knowledge and Ability

Family Support and Access to

Services

Helpfulnessof EI

Early Childhood Outcomes Center

The Family Outcome Scale (FOS)

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18I tems

Resp

onse

Family Knowledge and Ability

Family Support and Access to

Services

Helpfulnessof EI

Know about services

Have help when needed

Child participates in activities

Early Childhood Outcomes Center

Thompson Family Child was recently diagnosed with

speech-language delays Have an understanding of child’s

needs and strengths Have been frustrated with the lack

of services from early intervention

Early Childhood Outcomes Center

The Family Outcome Scale (FOS)

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18I tems

Resp

onse

Family Knowledge and Ability

Family Support and Access to

Services

Helpfulnessof EI

Early Childhood Outcomes Center

The Family Outcome Scale (FOS)

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18I tems

Resp

onse

Family Knowledge and Ability

Family Support and Access to

Services

Helpfulnessof EI

Comfortable in meetings

EI helped communicate

needs

EI helped know rights