Building and sustaining high-quality early intervention and preschool special education systems is a complex and ongoing process for state agencies. To support states, the Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA Center), funded by The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), has developed a framework that addresses the question, "What does a state need to put into place in order to encourage/support/require local implementation of evidence-based practices that result in positive outcomes for young children with disabilities and their families?"
The purpose of the ECTA System Framework is to guide state Part C and Section 619 Coordinators and their staff in:
- evaluating their current systems;
- identifying potential areas for improvement, and;
- developing more effective, efficient systems that support implementation of evidence-based practices.
States vary significantly in their Part C and Section 619 service delivery systems and the framework was developed to accommodate this variation. It is intended to enhance the capacity of Part C and Section 619 state staff to:
- Understand the characteristics of an effective service system;
- Lead or actively participate in system improvement efforts, including cross-agency work; and
- Build more effective systems of services and programs that will improve outcomes for young children with disabilities and families served under Part C and Section 619 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
