Practices
Topic Editor: Sherri Britt Williams
[email protected]Practices are what professionals do with—and for—children and their families to support optimal development in young children and family capacity to support their children, including practitioners, providers, state and local leadership, program coaches, and technical assistance providers.
How do systems, practices, and outcomes work together?
A high-quality state system implementing evidence-based practices practices at the local level will achieve positive outcomes for young children with disabilities and their families.
Local programs are responsible for the implementation of high-quality, individualized services as required under IDEA.
Both state and local systems must provide supports to help practitioners implement practices, including policies, guidance, technical assistance, professional development, and coaching.
What are Evidence-based practices?
Evidence-based practices are practices that have been evaluated and proven to achieve positive outcomes for children and families. Practitioners can help children and famlies achieve positive outcomes by implementing evidence-based practices with fidelity.
Implementation Guides
Implementing and scaling up evidence-based practices statewide requires a high-quality system with structures that support the use of evidence-based practices at the local level.
Our Statewide Implementation Guide is a process for implementing evidence-based practices statewide in four stages. In addition to the State Process Guide, a Community Process Guide helps community decision-makers and partners improve services and outcomes for children and families.
EPIC-P Cycle
The Engaging Professional Development to Improve and Change Practices (EPIC-P) Cycle provides a roadmap for leaders to navigate the complexities of planning, implementing, and evaluating ongoing PD support, ensuring efforts are coordinated, impactful, and aligned with the state's goals and priorities.
Practice Improvement Tools
Our Practice Improvement Tools help practitioners implement evidence-based practices. They are based on the Division for Early Childhood (DEC) Recommended Practices. These tools and resources guide practitioners and families in supporting young children who have, or are at-risk for, developmental delays or disabilities across a variety of early childhood settings.
State Implementation Stories
Early Childhood Implementation (ECI) Snapshots are briefs that highlight helpful resources for early childhood system leaders and other professionals providing implementation support for systems and programs as they implement evidence-based practices to improve child and family outcomes.
The Difference Our Work Makes includes stories that highlight the impact some of our recent efforts are making in early childhood special education as states support children and families.
Practices Related Topic Pages
- Statewide Implementation Guide
- EPIC-P Cycle
- Early Childhood Implementation Snapshots
- Practice Improvement Tools
- Assessment (Remote Screening, Evaluation and Assessment)
- Assistive Technology
- Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Early Identification of Young Children with Disabilities
- Evidence-Based Practice
- Family Engagement
- The Difference Our Work Makes