Curious & Curiouser — Sharing Our Impact Stories

1

Let's talk R-TAP

This will be an opportunity for those new to apprenticeship work to share their SPDG activities, objectives, activities, and other great ideas!

A better understanding of the R-TAP work being done by SPDGs and making connections with other projects sharing work for collaboration.

Presenters: Hollie Filce, Executive Director, REACH MS

Selina Merrell, Director, REACH MS

2

Beyond the BINGO Night: Using Data to Deepen Family Engagement

Strong school-family partnerships go beyond families showing up for BINGO nights at the school. In Virginia Tiered Systems of Supports project, family partner Formed Families Forward is working directly with schools in 2 districts to collect and use data to deepen authentic family engagement. Stop by and learn how we are embedding 7 elements of strong partnerships.

Stronger mastery of 7 elements of family engagement in MTSS; inspiration from exemplars in 3 schools (ES, MS, HS) that are using data from families and staff to change practices and invite all families to engage in meaningful ways.

Presenters: Kelly Henderson, Executive Director, Formed Families Forward, Virginia Tiered Systems of Supports project

Rachel Hamilton, Education Specialist, Formed Families Forward, Virginia Tiered Systems of Supports project

3

Georgia's Online MTSS/SST Application

Georgia’s Online MTSS/SST (GO MTSS/SST) Application is a web-based tool provided by the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) to support data-based decision-making, progress monitoring, and documentation within a multi-level prevention system.

Participants will learn how GO MTSS/SST supports data-based decision-making, progress monitoring, and documentation within a multi-level prevention system.

Presenter: Rondalyn Pinckney, Georgia Department of Education

4

Opening the gate: Stories of early events upstream from impacts

When the gates of funding open, initiatives and activities begin to flow, but the impacts may take a while to notice. How do we craft meaningful stories upstream near the beginning? We will share several ways we have told the SPDG early story, including infographics, pilot district showcase, incentivized events, and "Cowboy Joe."

Participants will learn about different ways WY has tried to Disseminate information and generate interest in a new SPDG. Participants will gather ideas about how the examples could be adapted for their own situation and tell their story, even in the early stages of a SPDG when things are more "plan" and less "impact."

Presenters: Trina Kilty, Special Education Programs Consultant, SPDG Coordinator/Director, WY

Deana Smith, Special Education Programs Consultant, SPDG Co-Coordinator, WY

5

In a World

Short video. Using humor and common references to tell a story

Presenters: Kelly Churchwright, OH SPDG Coordinator

Megan Flowers, OH SPDG District Coordinator

6

Implementing and Sustaining School Mental Health Practices Within MTSS

The overarching goal of the Kansas SPDG is to foster resilience and increase achievement for children and youth with and without disabilities by strengthening family partnerships and creating trauma-responsive school-community environments through the implementation of neuroscience practices and mental health interventions. This important work is accomplished through refining approaches within a Multi-Tiered System of Supports to include School Mental Health processes, protocols, and professional learning resources.

Join us to explore our lessons learned through this 9-year effort that built capacity across Kansas to meet the mental health needs of students. We will share the evidence-based practices that educators have found most impactful and the structures that have promoted implementation and sustainability of evidence-based practices.

Apply lessons learned from Kansas’ experience to develop strategies for utilizing implementation structures to build capacity, support sustainability, and strengthen school-community systems for addressing student mental health needs within an MTSS Framework.

Presenter: Amy Wells, Project Director, Kansas

Amy Gaumer-Erickson, KS SPDG Evaluator

Kerry Haag, KS SPDG State Director

7

Colorado Multi-Tiered System of Supports Impact Stories

Showcasing our overall growth across 29 districts and 3 regions, highlighting the impactful stories of our grantees who are transforming practices and improving outcomes through the implementation of the Multi-Tiered System of Supports.

The success and expansion of the Colorado Multi-Tiered System of Supports demonstrate the power of collaborative efforts and dedicated grantees in creating sustainable, positive change across districts and regions. These stories exemplify how strategic implementation can lead to meaningful improvements in student outcomes and serve as a model for ongoing growth and innovation.

Presenter: Kristen Brown, Director of the Office of Learning Supports, CO DOE

8

Family-School Partnerships to Support Literacy Implementation: From Local Implementation to Statewide Scale

We will share how the SPDG Family Liaison Professional Learning Community partnered with the statewide family support network, FAMILIES TO THE MAX (F2MAX), and the National Center on Improving Literacy (NCIL) to strengthen family-school collaboration around evidence-based literacy practices. Building on this work, F2MAX and PaTTAN are developing a statewide literacy course for families. We will highlight how these cross-organizational partnerships connect local implementation with statewide efforts to scale and sustain evidence-based literacy practices through meaningful family engagement.

We will highlight how these cross-organizational partnerships connect local implementation with statewide efforts to scale and sustain evidence-based literacy practices through meaningful family engagement.

Presenters: Laura Bray, PA SPDG, Director

Jill Houseal, PA FAMILIES TO THE MAX

Nikki Huggan, PA FAMILIES TO THE MAX

Jacqui DiDomenicoui, PATTAN

9

Ohio Families Advancing Mathematics: Comprehensive Family Perspectives in Math

Ohio Families Advancing Mathematics is a statewide initiative focused on strengthening family engagement in mathematics by gathering input from parents, educators, and community partners. The project wanted to better understand Ohio parents’ math-related priorities, challenges, and preferred ways of engaging with schools. This input is shaping more effective and accessible strategies to support the learning of all students, including students with disabilities.

A strategy for gathering family perspectives on educational issues on a large scale - statewide

Presenters: Dr. Hadley Bachman, The Ohio State University, Ohio

Dr. Barbara Boone, The Ohio State University, Ohio

10

Family Engagement in New York State's Implementation of Multi-Tiered System of Supports -Integrated (MTSS-I): Lessons Learned from the Field

This presentation explores how family engagement can be intentionally integrated into Multi-Tiered System of Supports - Integrated (MTSS-I). Drawing on real-world examples from MTSS-I coaching, the presentation highlights how schools and districts have worked to move family engagement beyond communication and involvement toward meaningful partnership.

Hear about family engagement practices within school and district level MTSS-I Implementation

See how family engagement can be embedded within existing MTSS-I systems and structures rather than approached as a separate add on

Explore how coordinated coaching can strengthen family engagement

Presenters: Rodrigo Campos, University at Albany

Julianne Toce, INCLUDEnyc, PTIC Family Partner,

Tina Minehan, NYSED