2016-2017 Differentiated Monitoring and Support Engagement Decisions

New Jersey

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 State Educational Agencies and Lead Agencies 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

Universal OSEP continues to make 

information and technical 

assistance (TA) resources available, 

and provide universal support. In 

addition, the State receives TA

from the National Center for 

Systemic Improvement (NCSI), 

Early Childhood Technical 

Assistance Center (ECTA), the IDEA 

Data Center (IDC) and the Early 

Childhood Professional 

Development Center (ECPC).

OSEP will provide 

universal support on 

improving performance 

outcomes for infants 

and toddlers with 

disabilities.

Compliance

Designation Factors Existing/Current Engagement New Engagement

Universal OSEP continues to make 

information and TA resources 

available, and provide universal 

support to all States. In addition, 

the State receives TA from NCSI, 

ECTA, IDC and ECPC.

OSEP will provide 

universal support.

SSIP

Designation Factors Existing/Current Engagement New Engagement

Universal OSEP continues to make 

information and TA resources 

available, and provide universal 

support. In addition, the State 

receives TA from NCSI, ECTA, IDC

and ECPC.

OSEP will provide 

universal support to 

enhance the State’s 

capacity to develop, 

implement and 

evaluate the SSIP.

Child Find

Designation Factors Existing/Current Engagement New Engagement

Targeted  Section 618 Child Count: Birth to 1

 2014 Child Maltreatment Rate per 

1000 children: Birth through 2

 2014 Percent of low birthweight 

babies

OSEP continues to make 

information and TA resources 

available, and provide universal 

support to all States.

OSEP will provide 

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  Size of the award

 # of programs

 Late liquidation

OSEP continues to make 

information and TA resources 

available, and provide universal 

support to all States.

OSEP will provide 

intensive fiscal 

monitoring and 

support using the 

protocols on SOPs and 

Methods.