State Performance Plan and Annual Performance Reports

Vermont’s (VT’s) CIS/Part C Early Intervention services of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) 2004 must assure the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) that we use the funds we receive for the Part C program wisely. VT CIS/Part C also must assure OSEP, Congress and the public that it meets the requirements of the IDEA 2004 and current regulations so that the program makes a positive difference in the lives of the children and families for whom it provides services. The following are two primary ways by which the VT CIS/Part C program reports to OSEP that it produces positive results for families and their children, and measures the effect of program improvement strategies:

1. State Performance Plan (SPP): VT CIS/Part C submitted to OSEP in December 2005 a State Performance Plan (SPP), a six-year plan (2005 through 2010) that specifies how VT Part C will make continuous program improvements and show positive results for families and their infants and toddlers with special needs. In its SPP, Vermont Part C provides baseline data on 14 areas (called "Indicators") that OSEP developed for all Part C programs nationwide. VT Part C collected this baseline data from its 12 regional early intervention programs (EIPs) during the time period July 2004 through June 2005. In the SPP, these baseline data from all regional EIPs are combined (aggregated) and reported on a statewide basis, not by individual EIP. The SPP then sets performance targets for each of the indicators from July 2005 through June 2013. The SPP was revised in February 2007, April 2008, February 2009, February 2010, February 2011 and February 2012 to reflect major revisions to activities and timelines.
   VT Part C SPP - Revised February 2012
    
2. Annual Performance Report (APR): Each year (beginning with the time period July 2005 through June 2006), VT CIS/Part C must submit an Annual Performance Report (APR). The APR demonstrates VT Part C's progress in meeting its annual targets outlined in the State Performance Plan. Like the SPP, the APR shows data for the specific time period on a statewide basis for each indicator.

Based on OSEP’s review of the APR post-submission, VT Part C has an opportunity to revise its APR (typically in April) to address OSEP’s specific requests for clarification, additional information, and/or corrections, and to re-submit a revised APR within seven to 10 days.
VT Part C APR 2005 (reporting period July 2005 through June 2006)
VT Part C APR 2006 (reporting period July 2006 through June 2007)
VT Part C APR 2007 (reporting period July 2007 through June 2008)
VT Part C APR 2008 (reporting period July 2008 through June 2009) - revised 4/5/2010
VT Part C APR 2009 (reporting period July 2009 through June 2010) - revised 4/14/2011
VT Part C APR 2010 (reporting period July 2010 through June 2011)

OSEP each year reviews Vermont's Annual Performance Report to determine whether we meet IDEA compliance and performance requirements. OSEP determines if the Vermont CIS/Part C early intervention program: 1) Meets Requirements, 2) Needs Assistance in meeting the requirements, 3) Needs Intervention or 4) Needs Substantial Intervention. States then are required to notify the public about their “Determination” status and what actions are required as a result. In the 2005-2006 reporting period for the 2005 APR, Vermont Part C received a determination of "Needs Assistance;" in the 2006-2007 reporting year for the 2006 APR, Vermont Part C received a determination of "Needs Assistance-2" (second year); and for the 2007-2008 reporting period for the 2007 APR, Vermont received a determination of "Needs Assistance-3" (third year). As a result of being in the category of "needs assistance," Vermont CIS/Part C early intervention had to, each year take advantage of technical assistance sources that are available through a national network and report in the relevant APR the actions that Vermont CIS/Part C took/is taking as a result of using various technical assistance sources.

The Vermont CIS/Part C early intervention program is happy to report that, for the July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009 reporting period for the 2008 APR and for the July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010 reporting period for the 2009 APR, it received a determination status of “Meets Requirements.” The Vermont CIS/Part C early intervention program commends the regional CIS/Part C early intervention programs for their continuing efforts to improve and maintain quality, timely, and appropriate services for infants and toddlers and their families.  If people have questions, please email Terri Edgerton, VT Part C Administrator, at: terri.edgerton@ahs.state.vt.us

Vermont 2007 APR Letter Determination Status (reporting period July 2007 to June 2008) - Received June 2009
Vermont 2008 APR Letter Determination Status (reporting period July 2008 to June 2009) - Received June 2010
Vermont 2009 APR Letter Determination Status (reporting period July 2009 to June 2010) - Received June 2011

1. Public Reporting

Section 616 of the IDEA 2004 requires that VT Part C report data annually to the public that show each regional early intervention program’s progress in meeting the annual targets in the State Performance Plan. During the 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 APR reporting years, 12 regional CIS/Part C early intervention programs (EIPs) provided Part C early intervention services and supports throughout Vermont. This Public Reporting contains data from each regional EIP in seven of the 14 areas/indicators contained in the State Performance Plan.

While OSEP and the Part C state staff/administrative agency use these data to determine the degree of compliance and performance of the VT Part C program and each regional early intervention program, it is critical to be cautious in using these data to make general assumptions. These data are part of a larger “story” and should not be interpreted in isolation. These data can, however: 1) promote discussions about program improvements and the meaning and use of the data within the context of program services, 2) provide key information to develop action plans that lead to program improvement, and 3) highlight statewide and individual program strengths and areas for improvement.

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The Vermont Department of Education is required by IDEA 2004 to report similar information as above about children ages 3 - 22 years old, who receive special education services in Vermont.