CASCADES Project

Creating And Sustaining Change Across Diverse Early Intervention Systems

The CASCADES Project is a multi-site, multi-state outreach project that will use information generated from a proven model of exemplary practices previously funded by the EEPCD Model Demonstration Program.

To support systems level change in the delivery of services to young children with disabilities and their families, this project proposes to address three components:

to provide outreach and technical assistance using a Train-the-Trainer model to identified sites ready to implement systems level change in one or more target training areas (i.e., screening, assessment/evaluation, naturalistic intervention),
to develop and disseminate high quality materials (e.g., training manuals, videotapes), and
to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the impact of the outreach / technical assistance delivered.

Outreach and technical assistance will be developed in conjunction with Part C and B coordinators and/or regional early intervention/early childhood special education coordinators to assure that regional/state needs are addressed and met. Sites will identify family members and disability advocates to be involved in the development of needs statements that will guide and direct the outreach and technical assistance provided. Sites can choose from outreach content topics and delivery options (e.g., technical assistance, consultation, information workshop). Evaluation will include a randomized assignment of sites into experimental (i.e., receive outreach services) and controls. Systemic effects will be measured. In addition, participation, satisfaction, and product development and dissemination will be addressed.

Funding provided by the U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). PR/Award No: H324R030095