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Title

Family Outcomes Survey for Part C

Intro

To help us provide meaningful early intervention services to infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families, the Department of Children, Youth, and Families asks families to share their thoughts and experiences with the service as they transition out of Part C.

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A Black toddler girl in a yellow sweater holds a colorful ball while her two parents look on in the background
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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

Downloadable documents

Below, please find the Family Outcome Survey in PDF for downloading and printing. Note that the previous cover letter information has been embedded into the survey itself and is no longer a separate document.

The Family Outcomes Survey is currently available in four languages:

Additional languages will be added. If a language is needed that is not yet here, please let us know.

To ensure the family you are working with has this information in their language, use one of the following methods as shared in the FOS User Instructions:

  • Download here as available
  • Offer the electronic version through the process shared in the FOS User Instructions
    • Note that accessibility and accuracy can only be guaranteed for electronic surveys in languages for which we also have the paper survey
  • Provide an interpreter and/or cultural liaison at no cost to the family for the family to confidentially complete the English survey

Remember to also provide the family with a stamped, pre-addressed envelope to return the survey to the state. At this time, surveys are still being sent by mail to our Part C co-lead agency, the Minnesota Department of Education, at:

Minnesota Help Me Grow Family Outcome Survey
Minnesota Department of Education
400 NE Stinson Blvd.
Minneapolis, MN 55413

Please reach out to Cat.Tamminga@state.mn.us with any questions. Title your email “FOS”.

Sample communications

Feel free to copy, adapt, or personalize these email and text message examples to fit your district's voice and the families you serve. You can:

  • Add your district name or program name
  • Include your staff contact information
  • Translate them into the languages your families speak
  • Adjust the tone to match how you usually communicate with families

These samples use simple words, short sentences, and a conversational tone because we know families are busy and may be reading on their phones. When families can quickly understand what you're asking and why it matters, they're more likely to complete the survey.

Before you send any email or text, have a conversation with families about the survey. Let them know it's coming and why their feedback matters. When families already know what to expect, they're much more likely to open your message and complete the survey. This personal touch also gives you a chance to answer any questions they might have right away.

The feedback you gather from families is invaluable for improving your programs and services. Thank you for taking the time to reach out to them.

Looking for additional ECSE resources?

The Minnesota Department of Education Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) page supports school districts' efforts to meet ECSE program requirements. These requirements include reporting accuracy and how to use program and outcome data.