It is also important to track system use and outcome data for your IEP facilitation program. In other words, you want to collect data that can answer the following questions: 1) who is using the program? 2) how are they accessing it? and 3) is the program having the desired impact?
Critical Considerations
- Is there a way for you to easily collect and retrieve information about who is using the program? For example, are parents requesting the program or are requests primarily coming from the districts? Are requests not coming in from a particular region?
- Is there a way for you to easily collect and retrieve information about how participants are accessing the program?
- Is there a way for you to easily collect and retrieve information about program outcomes? For example, how many facilitated meetings end in a completed IEP? How many facilitations are a prelude to additional DR processes, such as mediations or written state complaints?
- Is there a way for you to use/modify an existing DR case management solution for the IEP facilitation program?
Lessons Learned
- System use data is very helpful in identifying potential marketing or access issues. If your data shows that you aren’t receiving any requests from parents in a certain region of your state, you can work with your state’s parent center or other parent groups and target your outreach efforts.
- If possible, build off of an existing DR data system solution.
- Consider tracking how durable the outcomes of facilitations are over the long term. Can you have a follow-up evaluation several months following the facilitation to gauge continued satisfaction?