Research and Training Center on Service Coordination

Overview

The purpose of this Research and Training Center (RTC) is to use both quantitative and qualitative methods to conduct a series of descriptive and intervention (experimental) studies that lead to the development of promising practices in the provision of effective service coordination.

There are three strands of activities for the center: families, service providers and system administration. Members from these groups have participated in all center activities. Data from the RTC’s various research initiatives were used to develop a Logic Model with immediate, intermediate and long-term outcomes for children, families and systems. Toolkits and training materials have been developed around these three stands to assist in obtaining these outcomes.

Goals

The project has six distinct goals:

• To study and describe current models of service coordination across the nation

• To identify outcomes of effective service coordination

• To describe recommended practices of effective service coordination

• To measure effective and accessible service coordination through the use of new methodology and existing tools

• To develop and validate training models for effective service coordination

• To disseminate information nationally about findings and recommendations

Highlights

Now in the fifth year of the project, the Center has completed a series of in-depth descriptive and intervention studies on the status of service coordination nationally. Research activities have included (1) four studies on national service coordination models and training, (2) focus groups from four focal states (Connecticut, Indiana, Massachusetts, and North Carolina) that yielded outcomes and practices of service coordination, (3) Delphi studies to narrow down the numerous outcomes and practices generated from the focus groups to those most essential for service coordinators, (4) two national surveys, one on outcomes of early intervention, service coordination and natural environments and one on service coordinator practices, and (5) in-depth interviews with family members of children enrolled in early intervention and their early intervention service coordinators. A data comparison from the various research initiatives yielded vital immediate, intermediate and long-term outcomes. Research from the center was used to develop a Logic Model outlining components that contribute to the achievement of these outcomes for children, families and systems. Center staff are currently working on developing toolkits and training materials to support high quality service coordination.

The Research and Training Center in Service Coordination held its first annual Training Institute October 27-29, 2005 in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. The training focused on the dissemination of model outcomes and practices as identified through the past five years of research activities at the center. Attendees included service coordinators, family members and administrators from across the country, including the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Conference participants were the first people to access toolkits to guide them in implementing research-based service coordination practices. Many attendees expressed an interest in further trainings, including state and system-wide implementation. Center staff have already begun planning a Training Institute for the fall of 2006; email Rusert@uchc.edu to make sure you get on our mailing list.

Following feedback from Training Institute participants, Center staff are finalizing the service coordinator and administrator toolkits. The toolkits, which include checklists, tools, materials, and numerous online resources, are a web-based format to ensure accessibility across the country in every region, and toolkits will be available online in the Spring of 2006. Center staff will present the service coordinator and administrator toolkits at various national conferences, including the OSEP National Early Childhood Conference in December of 2005.

In January of 2006 the Research and Training Center in Service Coordination will conduct a state-wide study in Indiana to assess the implementation and impact of high quality service coordination on children and families. Half the service coordinators in the study will participate in a control group, and will be asked to continue providing services as they always have. The other half of the service coordinators will be asked to participate in a training using the toolkits, and ongoing learning communities. The goal of the study is to determine if the toolkits work to enhance what service coordinators do and promote important child and family outcomes. Other states have expressed an interest in implementing the toolkits utilizing similarly rigorous standards.

 

Contact

Mary Beth Bruder, Ph.D.
Professor and Director, UConn Center for Excellence in Disabilities
Phone: (860) 679.1500
E-mail: Bruder@nso1.uchc.edu