TEIDS Plus: Integrating Quality Assurance and Data-Based Decision Making To Enhance IFSP Quality, Implementation, and Child and Family Outcomes

Despite being compliant with state and federal requirements, Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSP) are often poorly written. They do not provide detailed descriptions of services to be provided, child and family goals, and criteria for determining when a goal has been achieved. More importantly, IFSPs as they are currently written do not guarantee high quality early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families. Because IFSPs can be in compliance with regulations and still not meet criteria for substantive quality, a need exists for the development of systemic interventions that employ effective and practical strategies for increasing the quality and usefulness of these plans. The research team is addressing this need though developing and evaluating a web-based quality assurance system, Tennessee Early Intervention Data System Plus. This system will build upon the existing Tennessee data system. It will incorporate components related to statutory requirements and recommended practices for developing and implementing quality IFSPs and improving child and family outcomes. The purpose of this study is to develop and conduct an initial evaluation of whether use of the Tennessee Early Intervention Data System Plus leads to higher quality IFSPs, improved fidelity to IFSP implementation, and improved child and family outcomes.