The ECO Center assists state agencies in building measurement systems for programs serving infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with disabilities and their families. The center provides technical assistance to support states in developing high-quality child and family outcome measurement systems.

SRI, the University of North Carolina's Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, RTI International, and the University of Connecticut participate in this collaborative center. Work focuses on:

• Knowledge development: The ECO Center partnered with seven states to develop a framework and self-assessment for states to build and strengthen early childhood outcome measurement systems. The self-assessment specifies the components necessary for a high-quality measurement system for child outcomes and provides a structure for states to track progress toward fully developed systems. The self-assessment also provides guidance for states to address areas in need of improvement. A second self-assessment has been developed for systems to measure family experiences and outcomes.

• Technical assistance and dissemination: The ECO Center conducts activities to support states in building outcome measurement systems. Activities include hosting an annual national outcomes meeting, convening national conference calls, maintaining a website, forming and supporting communities of practice, developing a cadre of experts to provide states with outcomes-related technical assistance, and developing training materials.

• Leadership and coordination: The ECO Center works with diverse individuals through an advisory board and work groups. The center also regularly coordinates with other projects and organizations about measuring early childhood outcomes.