eNotes
March 8, 2023Updates from the ECTA Center
Remembering the Humanity of Judy Heumann
Judy Heumann's recent passing is a severe blow to the field of disability rights. It is also an opportunity for us to continue her legacy. The world- renowned activist spent her life helping to secure legislation to protect the rights of people with disabilities.
As a keynote speaker for Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute's 50th anniversary celebration of technical assistance (TA) excellence, Heumann issued the following challenge in 2021, "We've really come so far since I was a kid. But we have so much more to go. What's important is we celebrate our successes, we're honest about where we are, and we fight more vigilant than ever to really get to the end, where we can feel assured that families, regardless of their first language or their economic status, or whether they live in an urban or rural area are going to be able to get the types of assessments for their children. That we are really working in a system where people believe that inclusivity is something which is essential. And ultimately, in another five years, the 55th anniversary, we'll be able to see that we've come through COVID, that children, in fact, have received the services they need, and that we are looking at this next generation really being able to benefit more significantly from education with better employment outcomes."
Let us all honor Heumann’s legacy and accept her challenge.
Indicator 4: Family Outcomes Data FFY 2020
The Early Childhood Technical Assistance (ECTA) Center analyzes and reports a national summary of family outcomes data for Part C each year. This analysis includes reporting on the percent of families participating in Part C who report that early intervention (EI) services have helped them: know their rights; effectively communicate their children's needs; and help their children develop and learn. In Part C Indicator 4: Family Outcomes Data FFY 2020, DaSy and ECTA staff discuss FFY 2020 results from the Indicator C4 Family Outcomes data, including state approaches to surveys, data quality, performance trends, and resources.
Data Sharing Agreement Template for Early Hearing Detection, and Intervention Program (EHDI) and Early Intervention Programs
This Data Sharing Agreement Template for Early Hearing Detection, and Intervention Program (EHDI) and Early Intervention Programs gives users examples of components, descriptions, and language to use for data sharing agreements and memoranda of understanding (MOU) between service providers for children who are deaf and hard of hearing. Template items are from existing state data sharing agreements or MOUs. Users are encouraged to add additional components as required or recommended in their state. Additional resources are also included.
Announcements
Application for TA on Improving Equity in Family Outcomes
The ECTA Center invites Part C Coordinators to apply for an intensive TA opportunity focused on advancing equity in family outcomes. This intensive TA will support state/entity teams in improving the quality of family data and in using them to improve implementation of recommended practices with families and family engagement at multiple levels. Interested states/entities must complete all application questions and electronically submit to sonia.sabater@unc.edu by March 17, 2023.
Town Hall Meetings on Race and Ethnicity Statistical Standards
The U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Federal Interagency Technical Working Group on Race and Ethnicity Standards (Working Group) will host three Town Halls to hear directly from the American public about the initial proposals to revise Statistical Policy Directive No. 15: Standards for Maintaining, Collecting, and Presenting Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity (SPD 15). The meetings will be: Tuesday, March 14 at 2 pm ET, Friday, March 17 at 2 pm ET; and Saturday, March 18 at 2 pm ET. Participants will have 2 minutes maximum to provide comments.
- Access the following WebEx link: https://uscensusevents.webex.com/uscensusevents/j.php?MTID=ma2c4fb243cc59ffd29a9cf4c36f38c5a
- Enter this information if requested:
- WebEx Password: Spd15#1
- WebEx Number: 2762 421 4713
- Call the Verizon Attendee Line: 1-888-810-9162, Passcode: 696976
News from the Field
National Child Count of Children and Youth who are Deaf-Blind
The National Child Count of Children and Youth who are Deaf-Blind provides extensive information on the population of children identified with deaf-blindness in the U.S., aged birth through 21. Data includes state and national information on:
- Population demographics (age, race/ethnicity/gender)
- Type and severity of vision and hearing loss
- Causes of deaf-blindness
- Presence of additional disabilities
- Educational setting
- Living setting
Governors' State of the State Addresses: Education-Related Proposals
The Education Commission of the States tracks education-related proposals from governors' annual State of the State addresses. Users can view annual state-specific proposals. Education Commission of the States has tracked, analyzed and identified trends in education policy accomplishments and proposals featured in governors' State of the State addresses since 2005.
Research
Using Collective Impact to Develop a Community-Led Initiative for Improving Black Infant Mortality
The United States has one of the highest infant mortality rates among developed countries; infant mortality rates for Black infants are 2.5 times higher than those of non-Hispanic white infants. Structural, systemic racism is a contributing cause for these racial disparities. Using Collective Impact to Develop a Community-Led Initiative for Improving Black Infant Mortality critically describes the transition of an infant mortality collective impact initiative from being led by a multi-sector organizational group to being community led over a 5-year period, 2015-2020. A 34-member community leaders' group was formed and determined four priorities and corresponding strategies for the initiative. Findings show that community participatory approaches are a way to address racial equity for public health initiatives.