Changing Systems: Moving Beyond Child-Specific Technical Assistance
The purpose of this guide is to support state deaf-blind projects in addressing the needs of children and families by planning and implementing systems-change activities. Every state project faces broad systemic challenges and, given limited resources, must make difficult choices about the direction their systems work will take.
The guide will help you:
- Explore systems-change opportunities by gathering information about needs in your state
- Develop partnerships with individuals and organizations with common goals
- Make decisions about activities that can help you achieve your goals
While state deaf-blind projects can use this guide independently, it is designed to be used during a range of individual and collaborative TA activities with support from NCDB, including action planning.
Essential Elements of Systems Change
Systems change occurs within existing agencies and structures. This requires meaningful partnerships, engagement with low-incidence infrastructure entities, and strong support from leaders and decision-makers. An effective implementation team to take the lead on activities is also essential to the success of any systems-change effort. You’ll find information about each of these areas as you work through this guide.
Published 2020 by National Center on Deaf-Blindness