2016-2017 Differentiated Monitoring and Support Engagement Decisions

Alaska

OSEP’s Results Driven Accountability System for differentiated monitoring and support is designed to 

provide differentiated levels and types of monitoring and support based on each State’s unique strengths, 

progress, challenges, and needs. To implement this system, OSEP developed a multi-tiered model for 

monitoring and providing support that is based on the principle that supports are first provided at a core or 

universal level to effectively address the needs of all States and is focused on prevention to minimize the 

need for more targeted or intensive engagement. Targeted monitoring and support is based on OSEP’s 

identification of common needs among multiple States, and intensive monitoring and support is reserved 

for those SEAs and LAs experiencing the most intense or complex challenges to implementation. 

To guide our designations for State monitoring and support at the universal, targeted and intensive levels in 

the areas of results, the State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP), program compliance, child find, and fiscal 

management, OSEP developed an organizational assessment of States’ progress in meeting performance 

standards and compliance with the legal requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the 

Education Department General Administrative Regulations and the Uniform Administrative Requirements, 

Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. Using Federal Fiscal Year 2014 data for results, 

program compliance, and the SSIP, and the most current data available for child find and fiscal 

management, along with information about the factors contributing to elevated needs, the support the 

State has accessed, the State’s capacity to improve results and compliance, and additional contextual 

information about the State, OSEP determined the level of monitoring and support necessary to meet 

the needs of each State. 

As you are aware, we recently completed our first round of DMS for Part B programs. For the current year, 

we are conducting the DMS process for Part B and Part C programs. We examined results, compliance, and 

fiscal data. In addition, we included child find as the special focus area for Part C and added in the SSIP. Our 

analysis of the SSIP is based on our review of the required elements within the Phase II submission, as well 

as information obtained through follow up conversations with State. Our analysis of child find is based on 

each State’s Child Count data submitted under section 618 of IDEA1, Child Maltreatment data2, Percent of 

low birthweight babies from States and Nation, 20143. The charts below list your designation and 

anticipated level of engagement in each area.

 

1

. School Year 2014-2015 Child Count and Settings Data under Title 1, Part A, Subsection 618 of the Individuals with Disabilities 

Education Act (IDEA): (1)The percentage of infants and toddlers, birth to one with IFSPS, compared to national data. (2)The 

percentage of infants and toddlers, birth through two with IFSPS, compared to national data. 

2

US Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Administration on Children, Youth, and 

Families, Children’s Bureau: Child Maltreatment 2014, Table 3-4, Victims by Age-2014, pg. 37.

https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/cb/cm2014.pdf

3

CDC, National Center for Health Statistics, National Vital Statistics System, Vital Statistics Reports, vol 64, number 12, December 

23, 2015, Table I-9. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr64/nvsr64_12_tables.pdf and Annie E Casey Foundation, The 2016 

Kids Count Data Book, Health Indicators, Low Birthweight Babies 2014. http://www.aecf.org/m/resourcedoc/aecfthe2016kidscountdatabook-2016.pdf
Results

Designation Factors4Existing/Current Engagement New Engagement

Intensive  Performance outcomes for infants 

and toddlers in:

o Positive social relationships

o Knowledge and skills

o Actions to meet needs

 Percentage of Children who are 

exiting that are included in 

outcome data - 60.09%

OSEP continues to make 

information and technical 

assistance (TA) resources available, 

and provide universal support to all 

States. In addition, the State 

receives TA from the National 

Center for Systemic Improvement 

(NCSI) and Early Childhood 

Technical Assistance Center (ECTA).

OSEP will provide 

intensive support on 

improving performance 

outcomes for infants 

and toddlers in positive 

social relationships, 

knowledge and skills 

and actions to meet 

needs, and the 

percentage of children 

exiting Part C that are 

included in outcome 

data.

Compliance

Designation Factors Existing/Current Engagement New Engagement

Intensive  FFY 2014 APR:

o Indicator 8B, Part C to B 

Transition: Not valid and 

reliable data

o Indicator 8C, Timely 

Transition Conference: Not 

valid and reliable data

 Dispute Resolution issues

 General Supervision issues with 

local EIS programs

OSEP continues to make 

information and TA resources 

available, and provide universal 

support to all States. In addition, 

the State receives TA from NCSI 

and ECTA. Also, the State Lead 

provides intensive technical 

assistance and tracks the progress 

of the State in making 

improvements to their Part C 

system.

OSEP will provide 

intensive support for 

compliance issues.

SSIP

Designation Factors Existing/Current Engagement New Engagement

Intensive  Evidence-Based Practices

 Evaluation Plan

 Stakeholder Engagement

OSEP continues to make 

information and TA resources 

available, and provide universal 

support to all States. In addition, 

the State receives TA from NCSI 

and ECTA.

OSEP will provide 

intensive support to 

improve the State’s 

capacity to develop, 

implement and 

evaluate the SSIP.

Child Find

Designation Factors Existing/Current Engagement New Engagement

Targeted  High rate of child maltreatment OSEP continues to make 

information and TA resources 

available, and provide universal 

support to all States.

OSEP will provided 

targeted support for

child find.

 

4

Factors are only listed if a State has been designated as targeted or intensive in a particular area
Fiscal

Designation Factors Existing/Current Engagement New Engagement

Intensive  Change in Leadership

 Substantial turnover in lead 

agency staff

 # of EIS programs

 State budget issues

OSEP continues to make 

information and TA resources 

available, and provide universal 

support to all States. In addition, 

OSEP has been providing TA on 

fiscal issues, including use of funds 

and monitoring of EIS programs.

OSEP will provide 

intensive monitoring 

and support using the 

protocols for Systems 

of Payments and 

Methods.