This presentation describes the process and results of an evaluation of early intervention child find outcomes in Hawai'i. The presentation will involve audience participation in discussing issues faced by all states in outcome evaluations of multi-faceted systems such as Child Find. The Hawai'i evaluation involved convening and continually consulting stakeholders to identify issues and barriers, accessing extant data bases, collecting both qualitative and quantitative original data from multiple sources statewide, and analyzing data. These processes will be briefly described in order to allow time for audience questions and discussion of methodology advantages and disadvantages for their own contexts. Results of the evaluation revealed significant weaknesses in a system previously thought to be functioning well. Stakeholder participation throughout generated wide attention to the findings at all levels of government and throughout the early childhood advocacy community. Lessons learned will be described for the benefit of others contemplating systems outcome evaluations.
Learning Objectives: Participants will know how to: 1. Identify strengths and barriers of their state's child find system 2. Identify stakeholders of child find systems 3. Describe quantitative and qualitative research methods for studying effectiveness and efficiency of state/local Child Find systems 4. Compare their state/locality's Child Find effectiveness to another state's evaluation results
Keywords: Health Care Access, Children With Special Needs
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Hawai'i State Department of Health
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: I am a part-time contracted employee of the Department of Health Early Intervention Section