Transcript The TelAbility Project Using Telecommunications to Improve

Building a Statewide
Community of Caring
Using Technology to Promote Communication
and Collaboration within the NC Early
Intervention System
Joshua J. Alexander, MD,
Juliellen Simpson-Vos, M.Ed, and
Libby Rogers, LPT
TelAbility
(http://www.telability.org)
An Internet-Based
Telehealth Program For
Young Children with Disabilities
Building a Community of Practice
“A group of people who share a concern, set of
problems, or passion about a topic and who deepen
their knowledge and expertise in this area by
interaction on an ongoing basis.”
WATCH
Wake Area
Telehealth Collaborative
Helping Children
with special needs
WATCH
includes…
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Inclusive Child Care
Settings
Services Agencies
Residential Care
Programs
State Agencies
(CDSA and School
system)
Current
Programming
Website Content /Expertise Directory
List serv
Newsletters
Videoconferencing
Wake County Services and
Resources for Children 0-5
webpage
What does the
webpage do?
The webpage is a searchable database
where anyone can select specific fields
to find the services they need.
 Agencies that match their needs will be
sorted and listed.
 When you click the link for the agency
all the agency data will be provided.
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Other Website Features
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Expertise Directory
Handouts
Links
Calendar
Books
Articles
Videos
More!
Videoconferencing
Videoconsults
Videoclinics
Professional Development
Sessions
Point to point meetings
(administrative, family visits, etc.)
6 Years of Success
in Wilmington
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January 2002-February 2008
In the past 6 years there have been a total
of 98 videoconferences held between
TelAbility and families and professionals in
the Wilmington area.
Videoclinic and
Videoconsults
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67 videoclinics/consults have been held
 Involving 513 families, therapists, and medical
personnel
 Satisfaction level average =4.55 out of 5.0
 Comfort level average = 4.94 out of 5.0
 Families saved a total of over $7,000.00 in travel
mileage and 215 hours in travel time.
 Average savings per videoclinic is 309 miles
($156.00) and 5 hours in travel time.
Administrative
Meetings
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13 Administrative meetings have been held between the Early
Intervention Branch, individual CDSA’s, Commissions, and
Committees
 Involving 98 administrators
 Satisfaction level average = 4.2 out of 5.0
 Administrators saved a total of $14,847 in travel mileage and
490 hours in travel time.
Professional
Development
Opportunities
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11 Professional Development opportunities
have occurred with therapists in the
Wilmington area
 56 area therapists have participated (including
school system, private agencies, and CDSA staff)
 Satisfaction level average =4.0 out of 5.0
 Comfort level average =4.4 out of 5.0
 Total mileage savings= $8,484
 Total hours saved=616
Professional
Development
Continued..
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Sessions were held free of charge to
participants
Session were coordinated through TelAbility
and with help from Libby Rogers
Infant Toddler Certification credit was offered
for all sessions
Some of the session topics included:
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The Use of Standardized Tests in Early Intervention
Gross Motor Delays for Children with Visual Impairments
Advanced Feeding Techniques
The Uses of Electrical Stimulation
Brachial Plexus
The Use of Theratogs
Networking
Sessions
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7 Networking sessions have been held
via videoconference
35 people participated
Satisfaction level average= 4.5 out of 5.0
Comfort level average= 5.0 out of 5.0
Total mileage savings= $5,303
Total hours saved= 175
Wilmington Data
Recap…
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97 videoconference sessions have been
held between January 2002 and February
2008.
Approximately 700 people have participated
in videoconference sessions.
Average Satisfaction level= 4.3 out of 5.0
Average Comfort level= 4.8 out of 5.0
Total driving hours saved=1,491
Total mileage savings= $35,300.
Videoconference
Benefits for
Providers
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Improves communication and care coordination
efforts
Increases professional development and education
opportunities
Increases collaboration with other locations and
professionals
Reduces professional isolation across the state
Responsive to their needs and interests
Reduces travel time and costs
Videoconference
Benefits for
Parents
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Improves communication, education, and
care coordination efforts
Responsive to their needs and interests
Reduces isolation
Reduces travel time and costs
Allows for long range care coordination (from
IT program to Preschool to School system)
No extra charge to use the technology
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“Instead of all competing or working as
separate entities, WATCH allows for us
all to come together for the greater good
of the child and family.”
Future Goals
WATCH2
Wake/Wilmington Areas
Telehealth Collaborative
Helping Children
with special needs
Questions?