Improving Family Centeredness Together - New York State Early Intervention Initiative (NY UCEDDs)

December 7, 2017

The Westchester Institute for Human Development (WIHD; Valhalla, NY), in collaboration with Strong Center for Developmental Disabilities (Rochester, NY) and Rose F. Kennedy UCEDD (Bronx, NY), will assist the New York Bureau of Early Intervention in implementing a portion of the State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP).

The specific initiative that New York UCEDDs are assisting with is aimed at increasing the use of family centered practices by early intervention providers, improving family engagement in early intervention services for young children, and improving family outcomes as a result of participating in the state's early intervention program. Each UCEDD will oversee the implementation of learning collaboratives in various regions of New York State. Learning collaboratives will involve county teams participating in an in person meeting, as well as monthly webinars. 

The Strong Center for Developmental Disabilities (Rochester, NY) is leading a review of the literature to identify evidence-based practices, Rose F. Kennedy UCEDD (Bronx, NY) is taking the lead on developing content for the project website and communication, and WIHD (Valhalla, NY) is taking the lead in systematically evaluating the impact of this initiative on early intervention providers practices and family outcomes. There will be two cohorts of learning collaboratives, the first cohort begins in January 2018 and the second cohort begins September 2018.