Overview
Overview
Embedded Files
The purpose of this model demonstration was to examine implementation of the EPIC approach for installing the Interconnected Systems Framework (ISF) and integrated family-school collaboration.
Family Engagement within an Interconnected Systems Framework
Family Engagement within an Interconnected Systems Framework
The Interconnected Systems Framework (ISF) is a structure and process intended to systematize how school and community agencies provide a continuum of interventions to promote overall wellness for all students, families, and staff within their community. The ISF is a proven framework for improving disproportionality for the most vulnerable populations by expanding team membership, improving team operating procedures, and data based decision making (Weist et al, 2022). Family engagement within ISF is measured by "the extent to which students and families are included in teaming, decision-making, interventions, and systems (Splett & Perales, 2019).
Schools working to engage families is often an iterative process can can be defined and assessed within a continuum logic. See the continuum below from the Strengthening Family-School-Community Partnerships Through an ISF Framework: A Family Facilitator Guide.
Continuum of Schools Working with Families: From Informing to Partnering
Strengthening Family-School-Community Partnerships Through an ISF Framework (February 2025)
Resources
Resources
Several resources were produced during this grant and are available below.
Introduction to ISF Video for Families (English)
Introduction to ISF Video for Families (English)
Introduction to ISF Video for Families (Spanish)
Introduction to ISF Video for Families (Spanish)
Family Facilitator Guide
Family Facilitator Guide
This practice guide will define working with families across a continuum and provide district and school teams resources to enhance their engagement strategies to assist in moving further along the continuum toward partnering.
Key Terminology Infographic
Key Terminology Infographic
Evaluation Tools
Evaluation Tools
There were two main tools used in Project EPIC to assess and plan for increasing family engagement. Learn more and access tools below.
The purpose of the Tiered Fidelity Inventory: Family School Collaboration (TFI:FSC) is to provide a valid, reliable, and efficient measure of the extent to which school personnel are integrating the core features essential to family-school-collaboration across Tiers 1, 2, and 3 within their positive behavioral interventions and supports.
The purpose of the ISF Implementation Inventory (ISF-II) is to provide a valid and reliable measure of the extent to which education and school mental health partners are applying the core features of the ISF.
Dissemination of Project EPIC
Dissemination of Project EPIC
Presentations
Bridging Systems: Coaching for Stronger Family-School-Community Collaboration - Association for Positive Behavior Support, March 2026
Aligning and Integrating School Mental Health, Family-School Collaboration, and PBIS - National Association of School Psychologists, February 2026
Coaching for Family-School-Community Partnerships in Integrated PBIS and School Mental Health - Advancing School Mental Health Conference, December 2025
The Interconnected Systems Framework as the How to for Community Schools - National PBIS Leadership Forum, October 2025
Coaching for Family-School-Community Partnerships in Integrated PBIS and School Mental Health - Southeastern School Behavioral Health Conference, April 2025
Coaching for Family-School-Community Partnerships in Integrated PBIS and School Mental Health - Association of Positive Behavior Support, Conference March 2025
Creating Equitable Partnerships, National Federation of Families, November 2024
Project EPIC: Model Demonstration Update - Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) Conference, August 2024
Implementing Based Mental Health MTSS: An Update from Three Model Demonstration Projects - Association for Positive Behavior Support, March 2024
Publications
Garbacz, S. A., Eklund, K., Kilgus, S. P., Xue, T., Lira, J., Meyer, B., ... & Pohlman, K. (2025). Examining Implementation of an Integrated Framework to Promote Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, School Mental Health, and Family-School Collaboration. School Mental Health, 1-15.
This project was supported from funds provided by the Lake County Regional Office of Education in Illinois and the Midwest PBIS Network through a cooperative grant supported by the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) and Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE) of the U.S. Department of Education (H326M230002). Tina Diamond serves as the project officer. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the positions or policies of the U.S. Department of Education. No official endorsement by the U.S. Department of Education of any product, commodity, or enterprise mentioned in this document is intended or should be inferred.
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