Thursday's Topic

You know, we can't see what you're doing while listening to the most recent preliminary report of the first steps audit so grab your dinner and join us at your computer for Thursday's webinar. Thursday May 15 from 6-7 PM.

The topic will include findings with regards to how First Steps can improve the quantity and quality of services available to all families. Thursday's broadcast focuses on A) How many First Steps providers have entered, remained, and/or left the First Steps system, and have these numbers of First Steps providers varied across disciplines, years, and/or counties? B) Are there areas in the state with suspected provider shortages? If yes, is it due to a lack of providers, over-utilization of existing providers, or both?

The webinar begins at 6:00 PM Eastern and ends at 7:00PM Eastern. You can gain access to the presentation through the following link. http://breeze.iu.edu/firststeps6

If you have questions please contact us at eccenter@indiana.edu

Lunchtime Webinar Thursday, May 8th!

Greetings,
Join us on Thursday May 8th at 12:00-1:00 pm Eastern for the next of our series of preliminary reports on the Findings from the FS Audit. Thursday’s report will include tentative findings in response to the audit question “How can First Steps improve the quantity and quality of services available to all families.”

Please see Audit Document 13-WEBCAST SCHEDULE for MAY 2008 with additional dates, times, and topics. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us at 812-855-6508 or ecccenter@indiana.edu.

May 8, 2008, 12:00-1:00 pm - Eastern Time
Webinar Link: http://breeze.iu.edu/firststeps5/

For those not available to join us you can access both the slides and four preliminary reports on the Findings from the FS Audit. For those who miss Thursday’s webinar, on Friday you will be able to access both the slides and the link to the production at our ECC website: (http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/ecc/FSauditproject.htm

Lunch-time Webinar

Please join us from 1:00-2:00 Eastern this Friday, April 25th for a lunchtime webinar! Friday's session will report on the initial results of the question about how well First Steps Providers are carrying out recent state policies concerning evaluation! Besides looking at the role of the ED Team in determining eligibility we will also review the recommendations of the 2005 Stakeholder meetings and we will also begin looking at some of the feedback from the provider survey on this topic. Questions are welcome and the link to the webinar will be available for your later enjoyment on the Early Childhood Center Website.

You can join us on Friday from 1:00-2:00PM by clicking the following link. http://breeze.iu.edu/firststeps4 Tune in 5-10 minutes early so that you don't miss any information. If you have questions please contact the early childhood center at 812-855-6508 or email etraub@indiana.edu. See you there!

This week's webinar!

Hi faithful readers. We are not hosting a webinar on preliminary results of the audit this week but please check back on Monday April 24th for an updated schedule.

The parent survey is still available for access and we have had over 400 responses from families who have been touched by First Steps in the past ten years. The survey will be open until the end of April. Thanks to those who have already responded. If you wonder if you are eligible please feel free to call 1-800-825-4733 and ask for Betsy in the Early Childhood Center.

Enjoy spring! Its here to stay!

Webinar Thursday April 10th

Good MONDAY everyone! It is sunny in this part of the state and certainly the weather will continue to improve!

Thursday April 10th from 6:00-7:00PM (Eastern Time) we will host another webinar with the preliminary findings of the First Steps Audit.

Please plan to join our team as we talk about "How well First Steps providers are doing carrying out recent state policies concerning evaluation (ED Teams, AEPS)."

You can link into the webinar from your computer and post questions right at the location. http://breeze.iu.edu/firststeps4/

Before the webcast, please connect to this page (http://breeze.iu.edu/common/help/en/support/meeting_test.htm) and the server will check to see that you have the appropriate software installed and a fast enough connection. You will be able to hear the webinar through your computer speakers. See you on line!

COSTS FOR FIRST STEPS SERVICES

Tomorrow (Thursday) evening's web cast will focus on the tentative findings about the actual costs of providing First Steps services in Indiana.

1. What are the total expenditures for First Steps?

2. What are the total annual costs?

3. What are the average service costs per child?

4. What are the total and average cost participation amounts?

5. Do the average cost participation amounts vary?

6. How have costs varied following changes in policies?

As we are still looking at state data the web cast will focus on question #2 and #3 for this session.

You can access the webinar by logging on to http://breeze.iu.edu/firststeps3/ The webinar will be recorded can be accessed through our website. See you online!!!

Did you miss last week's webinar reporting the tentative findings for the question "Have recent policy changes had an effect on the First Steps Services available to children and families?"

We have had requests to do the webinars earlier in the day so this web presentation will be on WEDNESDAY April 2, from 12:00-1:00 PM Eastern Time. The webinar link is : http://breeze.iu.edu/firststeps2/

If you are not able to be with us please do log into the powerpoint and recording at our Early Childhood Website. Comments and questions are always welcome and encouraged.

Check this blog on Monday of next week to find out the topic for Thursday's webinar.