Evaluating Georgia Part C Implementation Outcomes
Emory University
Summary
This study aims to answer the question: What is the best way to help Early Intervention (EI) providers deliver high-quality services to children with communication delays for autism? The primary goal of this project is to examine the outcomes associated with delivering Project ImPACT, an evidence-based autism intervention that is delivered as part of routine training within Georgia's EI system. Providers in the study will receive one of two Project ImPACT training models to help us understand which training model helps providers learn Project ImPACT better. Specifically, this study will examine the: 1) the process and quality by which Project ImPACT is implemented and adapted by EI providers across the two training conditions; 2) factors that impact how well Project ImPACT is implemented; and 3) the child (i.e., social communication) and family (i.e., parent empowerment and fidelity) outcomes associated with receiving Project ImPACT.
Description
This study aims to determine the: 1) implementation outcomes; and 2) preliminary parent and child outcomes associated with Project ImPACT when implemented within the Georgia Early Intervention (EI) system. 150 EI providers will be trained in one of two Project ImPACT training models. Training will include the option for group consultation. This training is part of standard training requirements, so it is not considered research. Participating caregivers who receive Project ImPACT will receive the program as part of their routine EI services. They will have two options to participate in this r…
Eligibility
- Age range
- Not specified
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria for Providers: * Currently employed or contracted by Georgia's EI system * Maintain an active therapy caseload * Fluent in English. Inclusion Criteria for Caregivers: * Have a child under 36 months currently enrolled in services through Georgia's Early Intervention system * Are being seen by a provider participating in Project ImPACT training and research * Fluent in English. Exclusion Criteria for both Providers and Caregivers: * Not meeting the eligibility criteria.
Interventions
- OtherProject ImPACT Training As Usual
Project ImPACT is an evidence-based autism intervention that teaches parents to use a blend of developmental and naturalistic behavioral intervention techniques across a variety of daily routines to enhance their child's social engagement, language, imitation, and play skills. The typical training model for Project ImPACT includes a 6-hour, interactive online tutorial that walks providers through the core Project ImPACT intervention strategies. After completing the online tutorial, providers attend a live interactive workshop virtually that is spread across 4, 3.5-hour days (14 hours total). Providers receive 1 hour of consultation once every other week for an hour from a trained Project ImPACT consultant (research staff member) following training.
- OtherProject ImPACT Training Plus Co-Production
Project ImPACT is an evidence-based autism intervention that teaches parents to use a blend of developmental and naturalistic behavioral intervention techniques across a variety of daily routines to enhance their child's social engagement, language, imitation, and play skills. The second cohort for Project ImPACT training is a model in which providers receive the same typical Project ImPACT training activities, in addition to three supplemental modules on other common areas of concern for families and how best to integrate other topics within Project ImPACT to meet the diverse needs of families.
- BehavioralRoutine Project ImPACT
Project ImPACT is an evidence-based autism intervention that teaches parents to use a blend of developmental and naturalistic behavioral intervention techniques across a variety of daily routines to enhance their child's social engagement, language, imitation, and play skills. Project ImPACT is delivered with parents meeting once or twice each week for one hour over 12- 16 weeks. In each session, parents receive: 1) didactic instruction in intervention strategies; 2) modeling of the intervention techniques by the therapist; 3) live coaching from the therapist while practicing the strategies with their child; and 4) homework to practice the strategies at home with their child, 20 minutes each day across meaningful home routines.
Location
- Marcus Autism CenterAtlanta, Georgia