WATCH (Wake Area Telehealth Collaborative Helping Children with Special Needs, formerly Telehealth Network for Young Children with Disabilities) - Phase II

From: TelAbility, provider of comprehensive, coordinated care to children with disabilities through video conferencing and Internet technologies.

Purpose: Improve the system of care available to Wake County children in developmental day care centers, community service agencies, residential care facilities, the Raleigh Child Developmental Service Agency and the Wake County Preschool Services Program through the WATCH network that connects the expertise of more than 275 Wake County professionals through a Web site, listserv, and electronic newsletter.

How:

1. Promote the use of technology to improve care coordination.
2. Strengthen professional development among early intervention professionals.
3. Support cost-effective professional development activities of staff from participating agencies.
4. Help parents and families meet their children's needs.
5. Identify resources to enable continuation of WATCH at end of Endowment funding.

Outcomes:

1. Track activities, outputs and outcomes for each of seven needs that have been identified.
2. Move local agency WATCH participants into leadership roles.
3. Develop sustainability plans for the continuation of the network.

Cost/Term: $557,172; July 2007-June 2010