Strategic Plan

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Strategy 1.3

Implement an integrated set of tools and practices at the state level that support families and providers with connecting to the right service at the right time.

1.3.1   Promote the 1-800-CHILDREN helpline as a statewide resource (centralized access point) for providers and families who are unsure where to go and are seeking early childhood care and education support, information, and resources. Ensure accuracy of helpline data through the implementation and maintenance of Aunt Bertha, a statewide resource directory.
State agency led tactic.Local individual or small group champions.Statewide and community-level partnerships.

1.3.2   Facilitate the expansion of IRIS, the Integrated Referral and Intake System, with interested communities in an effort to strengthen provider partnerships, communication, and accountability when connecting families to services.
State agency led tactic.Statewide and community-level partnerships.

1.3.3   Connect providers and communities to technical assistance to help them effectively adopt and implement the tools, resources, and practices that meet their needs to streamline navigation for families.
State agency led tactic.Statewide and community-level partnerships.

1.3.4   Identify and support telehealth opportunities in a variety of health care and early childhood care and education settings to increase access to specialty services in rural areas.
State agency led tactic.Statewide and community-level partnerships.

Progress Update

Kansas communities, providers, and families have embraced the benefits of tools such as 1-800-CHILDREN, IRIS, and state-level technical assistance to meet their early childhood needs. 1-800-CHILDREN, the statewide centralized parent helpline and online resource, has a robust toolkit – including marketing videos, printed fliers, and outreach staff to increase access and connect to resources. As IRIS continues to build networks within communities across the state, efforts are underway to create an application program interface (API) between IRIS and 1-800-CHILDREN, allowing helpline callers to be referred directly to IRIS organizations.

Adaptive TA provided initial assessment and tiered technical assistance supports to community partners as requested — exploring innovations and opportunities, coordinating, and providing topic-specific webinars, and streamlining processes for community partners.

Kansas established a statewide ASQ online system to remove financial, training and workflow barriers for providers wanting to add developmental screening to their work with young families and to allow for more equitable access to screening across the state. A developmental screen helps to identify if a child would benefit from community or early intervention services