Planning for Best Practice

Planning for Best Practice

Best practices are service delivery strategies or techniques that appear effective based on available evidence; are client-centered; are sensitive to the context of the service delivery setting; and are responsive to evolving technology, resources, and/or research.

A woman helps an older man with a task on her computer.

Promising Practices is one of the four focus areas of the OIB TAC grant.

Help us identify what OIB program practices are working well and could be shared with other programs. 

1. Consider what is working well 

2. Document what is working well 

3. Find ways to measure what is working well by considering: 

  • What kind of difference might result? 
  • What information would help show the benefit of the activity? 
  • What impact can be anticipated? 
  • How can the impact be measured? 

4. Complete a Promising Practices Submission form. 

What is a Promising Practice?

A promising practice has:

  • Results that are measurable 
  • Been implemented and had a positive outcome 
  • A positive impact on the individuals served or the staff who provide services 
  • Met the criteria for assessment 

Examples of Promising Practices for Consideration

Process

  • Data collection 
  • Allowing digital signatures 
  • Steps for ordering aids and devices 

Strategic

  • Providing shorter, instructional appointments with less content 
  • Meeting regularly with contractors to improve communication 
  • Do intake over the phone and instructional appointments in person 

Programmatic

  • Using a set curriculum for group instruction 
  • Using consistent practices for recruiting, training, and ongoing training for peer support leaders 
  • Using a consistent procedure to provide loaner or trial equipment for consumers 

 

What are the criteria for assessment of a Promising Practice?

The promising practice is...

  • Relevant to the goals and objectives of the OIB program 
  • Based on common sense and sound practice 
  • Completed or near completion (in terms of documentation and data collection)
  • Well-executed with met goals 
  • Reaching the target audience 
  • Having a positive outcome for the majority of the target audience 
  • Receiving positive feedback from collaborating partners (if applicable)
  • With the potential to be replicable/generalizable to other locations 
  • With the potential to be implemented and sustained over time 
  • Able to be evaluated with data

 

In January of 2017, OIB-TAC convened a task force.

Sixteen experts from diverse professional backgrounds came together for two days to identify best practices based on this definition: 

Best practices are service delivery strategies or techniques that appear effective based on available evidence; are client-centered; are sensitive to the context of the service delivery setting; and are responsive to evolving technology, resources, and/or research.

The agreed upon best practices are aspirational but include guidance on how to reach acceptable practice when the best practice cannot be attained. Topics addressed centered on the administration of the OIB program by state agencies and their contractors. 

Below is the resulting report, “Best Practices in the Administration of the Older Individuals who are Blind Program”.  

 

Introduction to Best Practices for Older Individuals who are Blind Programs

The purpose of this course is to acquaint Older Individuals who are Blind (OIB) program staff with the concept of best practices and the relevance of the best practices concept in the OIB field. 

http://nrtc.catalog.instructure.com/courses/introduction-to-best-practices

Best Practices in the Administration of the OIB Program

This course is designed to provide information on the best practices for programs serving older individuals who are blind. These best practices are for policymakers, service providers, and administrators, to guide them in providing quality services through OIB programs. 

https://nrtc.catalog.instructure.com/courses/best-practices-administration