What is the Early Development/Individualized Family Service Plan project?
The Early Development Network (EDN) is Nebraska’s Part C of the Individuals with Disability Education Act (IDEA). EDN supports children from birth through three years of age who have special developmental needs. EDN “connects” families with early intervention services to help infants and toddlers grow and develop and to help their families in this process. Examples include coordination of services and occupational, speech, or physical therapy.
The Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) is an ongoing process as a part of EDN that adjusts to the changing needs of the child and family. The IFSP identifies individualized supports and outlines the intervention services that will enhance the child’s development. The IFSPweb is the online website that is used by families and service providers. The site informs and provides examples on how to develop an IFSP, describes the four concepts that form a solid basis on which the IFSP can be built, and offers expectations for the IFSP process. Users can log-in and capture their pre-and post-assessments and their scores on individual knowledge tests. There have been many colleges and universities that have used the IFSPweb. The IFSPweb has been recognized on a national level.
CCFL provides the web presence for the EDN program. CCFL also provides the new EDN Services Coordination training through distance learning. CCFL helped create the learning content and provides ongoing support to update and develop modules as needed. The course consists of eight modules, which are integrated with “Open Badges”. “Open Badges” communicate skills and achievements by providing a visual symbol of accomplishments. These accomplishments are verifiable and provides evidence that can be shared across the web.
The EDN/IFSP project also provides the “Home Visiting Core Practices and Principals” distance learning course. This training is focused on providing information and resources that all home visitors can use. This training provides the foundation of working with parents in the home and will guide the home visitor in the basics of communication, family systems, coaching, and home visitation. CCFL has provided the technology, the remastering of curriculum from a face-to face-training to distance learning, and has developed new content that is pertinent to home visitors. The Home Visiting course is used as a mandatory preservice for EDN Services Coordinators and Sixpence Home Visitors. The course has been identified nationally as a resource for home visitors.
Infants and young children are learning about their environment and developing skills in many areas at the same time. Every child is unique and differences in their rate of development can be expected. CCFL developed the “Staying on Track as Your Child Grows and Learns” also known as “Staying on Track” mobile app (both for Android and iOS). http://edn.ne.gov/cms/staying-track-mobile-app
CCFL provides the ability to network and collaborate through technology for EDN. A good example is Nebraska’s Circle of Security-Parenting website: http://www.necosp.org/. Circle of Security-Parenting (COS-P) is a relationship based early intervention program designed to enhance attachment security between parents and children. CCFL has developed a website so that the State Coordinator is able to coordinate with the local facilitators across the state and their individual local training with parents. The site includes a class calendar for parents, resources, and videos.
The Early Childhood Community Link (ECCL) is a resource center for state agencies and local communities to improve communication, implement best practices, identify gaps and barriers, and strengthen early childhood systems. The Nebraska ECCL is for State level partners for systems level work and collaboration. CCFL conceived the project, which EDN provides the financial sustainability for. http://ecclink.org/home
The EDN project also consists of the “The Right Place Child Care Finder” on the Nebraska Resource and Referral System (NRRS). https://nrrs.ne.gov/therightplace/. The website provides information on child care in Nebraska, how to find quality child care, and provides resources for parents. Users will be able to compare services a child care provider or center will provide for any child. CCFL surveys each child care provider on basic information such as, do they have a fenced yard, do they have pets, or is there transportation that is provided. The survey goes onto find out the type of care they are willing to provide, such as toileting delays, visual impairments, down syndrome, cerebral palsy or would they care for more medical conditions such as heart problems, catheter usage, or if the child has a tracheotomy. “The Right Place Child Care Finder” can be used by anyone—parents, social workers, discharge planners, or child welfare workers. Users can create a list to save, print, or email.
Who are the members of the EDN/IFSP project?
Allison Jones, Information Technology Administrator: Allison provides technical support and pretty much can do everything from setting up the server and security specifications to adding content on a page. Allison sets up the website space and platform as well as makes sure the site is back-up on a nightly basis. The best thing that Allison does is she supports the team members so that we can do what we need to do. Allison is the mind of reason when the team wants to do some extravagant feature for a website.
Charlie Lewis, Project Director: Charlie works with EDN content management, updates and provides technical assistance.
Jessica Cook, Web Production Specialist: Jessie works with EDN with content management, graphics, and print materials such as brochures, flyers, guidebooks and electronic flyers/postcards. Jessie also converts video for online format and assists with webinars as well as create registrations for meetings and conferences.
Natalie Chin, E-Learning Developer: Natalie provides web support and design for the IFSPweb and creates interactive content for the distance learning modules for both the New Services Coordination and Home Visiting courses. Natalie provides graph design as well.
Roger Templin, Web Applications Associate: Roger helps with the backend of the website and the interactivity
for the IFSPweb.
When did the EDN/IFSP project begin, and how long is it for?
The IFSPweb was developed and implemented in February 2001. The project is the result of a cooperative effort between Nebraska Department of Education, Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The EDN project began in August 2009.
What inspired this project, and how has it evolved?
The project started with the IFSPweb as a way to inform parents and professionals about the IFSP process. The EDN is a co-lead administered state program between the Nebraska Department of Education and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. In 2009, they wanted a single website that was not buried deep within a state website, with a unique URL (web address) to be able to inform parents and professionals. CCFL works with EDN co-leads on other projects and initiatives that they are involved in. CCFL helps support, provide technical assistance and recommend solutions for their collaborative efforts.
What’s the most exciting or best part of getting to work on or being part of this project?
Early Childhood is the building block of later development. Being involved in helping parents and others by making sure the information is accurate, informative, and understandable is key to better outcomes for families.