Quality system components, as outlined in A System Framework for Building High-Quality Early Intervention and Preschool Special Education Programs, are necessary to support and facilitate provider use of recommended practices to achieve positive results. The process of implementing an improvement in the service system is similar in many respects to the process of implementing new practices, but different enough that some key activities warrant different considerations in planning.

This document can be used by individuals planning, or in the process of making improvements to their service system. It provides questions a group should think about and answer for their specific long-term system change initiative. Groups will be more efficient and effective when guided by the stages, steps and activities as presented in this document.