The Family Outcomes Survey is for families of infants or toddlers with disabilities who have received early intervention services for six months or more. The survey is given when a child turns 3 or is exiting Part C for any reason.
Minnesota is required to anonymously report the percent of families participating in Part C who say that early intervention services have helped their family to:
- Know their rights
- Effectively communicate their children's needs
- Help their children develop and learn
Using the results
The Department of Children, Youth, and Families and the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) combine the responses of families who complete the survey each year to help determine how well the state is supporting families in achieving each outcome. The data is broken down by each district and cooperative providing early intervention services and is publicly available on the Department of Education website. This data is gathered confidentially and reported anonymously.
Looking at data across programs allows the state to better help districts and families support children and families in Part C.
At the local level, school administrators and providers can use ongoing data to make decisions about the services they provide and ensure families receive services that are meaningful to them and their children. The data also helps administrators, teachers and other partnering professionals:
- Listen to families' experiences
- Examine early intervention services, settings and practices
- Identify and build upon local program successes
- Identify programs demonstrating a need for greater support
- Make system-level changes to ensure each and every family in Minnesota and Tribal Nations will have access to quality early intervention
