Engage for Change | State

Improve state outcomes by strengthening
data use. collaboration. access. expectations.connections.

Four circles are arranged in a circle within a larger circle showing a clockwise path. The first circle, on the top, is teal and is labeled UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM' in white with more text underneath reading 'Use data to understand the problem and the system in which it exists. -root cause analysis - engage with stakeholders - additional data'. Going clockwise, the second circle is green with text reading 'REVIEW EXTERNAL EVIDENCE' and more text reading 'Be informed by research, literature, and best practices to identify evidence based solutions.' Next circle is orange, 'PLAN FOR SUCCESS' 'Put the pieces together by developing a plan. Indicate who is the focus, what your solution looks like, why you think it will work, and how you will know if it is working.' Next circle is purple, 'IMPLEMENT, MEASURE, AND ADJUST' 'Implement a plan that allows you to measure impact and act on what you learn to inform progress.' Surrounding these circles inside of the larger circle is more text reading 'Leveraging Community Resources' 'Using Data for Decision Making' 'Designing Collaborative Systems' and 'Promoting High Expectations'.

Engage for Change | state offers state collaboratives—networks of shared leadership and peer support—to state-level education and vocational rehabilitation leaders committed to improving postsecondary outcomes for deaf individuals. NDC supports state teams as they develop activities to close gaps in education and employment for deaf individuals.

The focus of each state team is unique and depends on what they find as they engage with stakeholders and review research, best practices, and state data. State collaborative groups work with each other and get support from NDC staff at the annual two-day convening and throughout the year. Sample state activities include:

  • implementing a deaf youth summer camp focused on strengthening self-advocacy
  • developing an online financial literacy course to develop independent living skills for deaf youth
  • launching an internship fair to improve employment outcomes for deaf youth


Engage for Change | state convenings have occurred in June 2017 and 2018. For more information, please email us.