Name: State:

Stage 1: Exploration

Step 1. Local administrators, in collaboration with the State Leadership Team, establish an Implementation Team at each participating site who will guide the steps of the implementation process.

1. Not Begun	2. Needs Improvement	3. Completed	4. NA

Determine whether you will need (given size of region/district/county and number of programs) an Administrative Leadership team, as well as an Implementation team at each site/program. If there is only one site and implementation team, include administrative representation.

Include in membership on the Implementation Team:

Administrator with the authority to make decisions and expend resources (or someone with easy access to that decision-maker).

Staff whose responsibilities will allow them to undertake this initiative over several years.

Staff who want to gain expertise about the implementation process as well as potential innovations or practices that fit identified needs.

Gather and review relevant data documenting current performance, and the need for improvement.

Step 2. Convene a stakeholder group to conduct a needs assessment, identify desired outcomes, and review the service delivery system, and current practices.

1. Not Begun	2. Needs Improvement	3. Completed	4. NA

Determine appropriate stakeholders from your area such as collaborating agency personnel, administrators, providers, parents, TA personnel and (if appropriate) higher education faculty representatives.

Clarify stakeholder group purpose, responsibilities and projected timeline for involvement.

Articulate the purpose and rationale for change, including any supporting data.

Review organizational structures and current practices, including issues, concerns, and strengths from the perspectives of all stakeholders.

Identify and list the concerns or issues the site is trying to address and be specific about perspectives of stakeholders (e.g., needs /issues of administrators, providers, children and families).

List desired outcomes/changes for all these stakeholders.

Step 3. Implementation Team(s) and Stakeholders explore the feasibility and assess the “fit” of new practices with needs, desired outcomes, mission, values and system resources.

1. Not Begun	2. Needs Improvement	3. Completed	4. NA

Review research and evidence base and explore core features, functions and benefits of the new practices.

Gather information from other programs and consultants, experienced with implementing the practices.

Consider how the new practices can address the identified needs, produce the desired outcomes, and align with the program mission and values.

Analyze how current practice will need to change to adopt the new practices.

Analyze requirements of the implementation process and potential impact of adoption on site resources.

Step 4. Secure leadership support.

1. Not Begun	2. Needs Improvement	3. Completed	4. NA

Identify administrators, decision makers and parent advocates whose buy-in will be needed to assure necessary support and resources for implementation and sustainability.

Communicate with the State Leadership Team about state level support from within the lead agency/ education and collaborating agencies (e.g., other early childhood agencies, Medicaid, state insurance, etc.) who are supportive of the new practice(s).

Use multiple relationship-building methods and communication strategies to turn key leaders into champions who will promote the new practice(s).

Develop a plan for the involvement of these individuals in future activities.