Name: State:

Stage 1: Exploration

Step 1: Early champions establish a cross-sector State Leadership Team who will guide the steps of the exploration process.

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

a.	Include in membership on the State Leadership Team:

	representatives from each of the key agencies and personnel development entities with the authority to make decisions and expend resources (or an individual with clear and easy access to that decision-maker),

	staff whose responsibilities will allow them to undertake this initiative over several years and;

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

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

Step 2: The State Leadership Team convenes a stakeholder group to assess the service delivery system and current practices related to the identified area of need.

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

Determine appropriate stakeholders from all levels of the service system including state agency personnel, TA personnel and pre-service personnel, regional and/or program administrators, providers/teachers and parents.

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

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

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

Identify and list the concerns and problems the state is trying to address; be specific about all levels of the service system (e.g., state, regional, local services to children and families).

Identify and list desired outcomes and changes for each level of the system.

Review or realign the system’s mission and values to fit with desired outcomes and new vision for a change in practices

Step 3: The State Leadership Team explores the feasibility of potential innovation(s) or new practices and assesses “fit” with needs, desired outcomes, mission, values and system resources.

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

a.	Explore the core features, functions and benefits of potential innovation(s) or set of practices.

b.	Review the research and evidence base for the innovation or practices.

c.	Gather information from other states, programs and consultants, experienced with implementing the potential innovation(s) and practices.

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

Step 4: The State Leadership Team selects the innovation or practice and decides whether or not to proceed.

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

Review all perspectives and information gathered.

Establish criteria for selecting the innovation or practices to adopt.

Consider which innovation can best address the identified needs, has evidence of producing desired outcomes, and aligns with the service system’s mission, values and resources.

Decide (or recommend to the final decision makers) which innovation or set of practices are most promising and whether or not to proceed with implementation

Step 5: The State Leadership Team secures necessary agency or cross-agency leadership support.

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

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

b.	Include key individuals within the collaborating agencies who will need to be supportive of the changes.

c.	Use multiple strategies to help these key individuals become champions who will promote the new practices or innovation.

d.	Develop a plan for the involvement and continued support of these individuals in this and future stages and activities.