Evaluating Georgia Part C Implementation Outcomes

Purpose

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.

Conditions

  • Communication Disorder, Childhood
  • Autism

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
All ages
Eligible Sex
All
Accepts 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.

Study Design

Phase
N/A
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention Model
Parallel Assignment
Primary Purpose
Health Services Research
Masking
None (Open Label)

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Other
Early Intervention (EI) providers 		Early Intervention (EI) providers who serve young children with social communication delays and/or autism will report on their experiences delivering Project ImPACT via one of two training models. Providers will have the option of consenting to share videos of their Project ImPACT sessions to help us understand the quality of Project ImPACT delivery.
  • Other: Project 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.
    Other names:
    • Usual ImPACT
  • Other: Project 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.
    Other names:
    • Usual ImPACT + Supplements
Other
Caregivers 		Caregivers of children under 36 months of age in the Georgia EI system who are receiving services within the EI system will report on their experiences with the providers who have been trained in one of the two Project ImPACT models. Caregivers will either: 1) complete surveys before and after they receive Project ImPACT, or 2) complete a confidential survey after receiving Project ImPACT from their provider. Caregivers will have the option of consenting to share videos of their Project ImPACT sessions to help us understand the quality of Project ImPACT delivery.
  • Behavioral: Routine 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.

Recruiting Locations

Marcus Autism Center
Atlanta 4180439, Georgia 4197000 30329

More Details

Status
Recruiting
Sponsor
Emory University

Study Contact

Katherine E. Pickard, PhD
404-7859491
katherine.e.pickard@emory.edu

Detailed 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 research: 1) complete surveys before and after participation in Project ImPACT (each set will take 20-30 minutes), as well as an exit interview; or 2) complete a confidential survey only after participating in Project ImPACT, which will take 20-30 minutes. All research activities will be conducted at the Marcus Autism Center.