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Implementation Services

Implementation Services

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Director of Implementation

Our Mission Statement

It is the mission of Charlevoix-Emmet Intermediate School District to provide leadership and services to local school districts.

It is the vision of Charlevoix-Emmet Intermediate School District to be an indispensable partner with every district we serve.

Char-Em Implementation Services support ISD and local district capacity and implementation efforts

Have you ever heard an educator trying to implement a new program or practice say something like, “I’m not sure if I’m doing it right,” or “We had a training, but I need more support if I’m going to do this” or, “I’m not sure when I’m supposed to do this in addition to all that I’m already doing”?

Beyond just training, successful implementation means making sure that good ideas actually get put into practice effectively and consistently so that students truly benefit. It’s about ensuring there is capacity to provide the tools, guidance, and ongoing support that educators need to confidently and successfully use new programs and practices in their classrooms and schools.

Systems aren’t built for the sake of systems or to promote uniformity. Rather, this is about building bridges between research and practice that make implementation easier, which ensures it will be done well and sustained over time, allowing students to benefit from the good practices and programs. 

Page quick links:
Implementation Science
A cascade of support
Infrastructure needs
RIIT members
Podcasts and links

Implementation Science

This is the formula used by a national group, the National Implementation Research Network (NIRN), that does a lot of research about implementation science. This shows the complexity of implementing something to the point of achieving outcomes:

You see in the graphic, successful implementation isn’t just about the program or practice itself, but also about the systems, people, and ongoing support in place to make it work.

Many of our local districts are implementing Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and Char-Em is working to actively support implementation. If we were to use the formula to describe implementation efforts of PBIS it would read something like this:

A cascade of support

At Char-Em ISD, we operate at a regional level and have a Regional Implementation and Improvement Team (RIIT) developing and refining systems and processes that make us more successful and efficient as an organization. We also partner directly with and support our local districts as they build and strengthen their own internal implementation systems and processes. Our goal is to create a seamless cascade of support, from the ISD down to the individual classroom. This isn’t about adding more work; it’s about making the work being done more efficient, effective, and sustainable so that students can benefit and outcomes will improve.

Infrastructure needed to implement and sustain efforts

At the ISD, we continue to focus on developing and strengthening key implementation components. We then come alongside our local districts, collaborating to build these essential infrastructures within/across their own schools.

Our commitment to supporting districts in building their own effective implementation systems is rooted in a focus on initiatives that have the greatest potential for impact on student outcomes. This is why we specifically partner with districts as they invest their time and efforts into building out a comprehensive Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) for behavior and reading.

Here are some examples of the critical implementation components we address:

    • 1. Building Implementation Teams:
      • What it is: At the regional level, we have our own ISD implementation team responsible for guiding our broader initiatives. We also provide guidance and support to help a district or school establish its own dedicated team to lead and support implementation efforts internally. These local teams act as internal champions and problem-solvers.
      • Benefit: Ensures clear leadership and a designated group at both the regional and local levels to champion and troubleshoot implementation, making shared initiatives more effective.
    • 2. Systematic Review & Selection (and De-selection) Processes:
      • What it is: This involves a structured approach to choosing new programs, practices, or initiatives at both the ISD and district level. It also helps us (and our districts) evaluate existing ones to decide if they are still serving students’ needs effectively, helping to manage initiative overload.
      • Benefit: Prevents “flavor of the month” syndrome, empowers local districts to ensure resources are invested in evidence-based practices that match the local context, and helps manage competing priorities.
    • 3. Assessment Systems & Data-Based Decision Making:
      • What it is: Establishing clear processes for collecting meaningful data (academic, behavioral, social-emotional) and using that data to monitor student progress, assess program effectiveness, and make informed adjustments to instruction.
      • Benefit: Moves beyond guesswork, identifies student needs earlier, and ensures that interventions are truly making a difference across all levels of the system.
    • 4. Comprehensive Coaching Systems:
      • What it is: Developing and sustaining a structured approach to providing ongoing, job-embedded support to educators. This includes coaching provided by ISD staff and districts building their own internal coaching capacity. Coaching is crucial for moving learning into consistent practice in the classroom.
      • Benefit: Coaching bridges the gap between professional development and daily practice, leading to higher fidelity of implementation, greater teacher confidence, and sustained use over time, which ultimately benefits students. This also clarifies where coaching support will come from, optimizing resource allocation for both the ISD and districts.
    • 5. Process to Address Implementation Challenges:
      • What it is: A systematic way to identify and address challenges that arise during implementation both at the regional and local district levels. 
      • Benefit: Prevents frustration, builds resilience, and keeps implementation efforts moving forward even when obstacles arise, fostering a culture of problem-solving.
    • 6. Strategic Communication Plans:
      • What it is: Developing clear, consistent, and multi-directional communication strategies to keep all stakeholders (staff, parents, leadership) informed, engaged, and in support of the implementation efforts.
      • Benefit: Builds trust, supports readiness, and reduces confusion or resistance during change initiatives.
    • 7. Staff Development Process:
      • What it is: A long-term approach to building staff capacity to implement effectively. The process ensures that all staff have the necessary knowledge and skills to succeed through professional learning, ongoing coaching, and support.
      • Benefit:  Improved quality & consistency of implementation leading to better outcomes, sustained use of the program or practice and increased staff confidence. 

We know that implementation is complex, but by strategically building this essential infrastructure together, we can create efficiencies, maximize the likelihood of success, and sustained implementation leading to empowered and confident educators and better outcomes for all students.

Regional Implementation and Improvement Team membership

Char-Em ISD staff members serving on the RIIT:

Carolyn Beltz, Early Childhood
Erin Broughman, Special Education
Jill Haan, Early Childhood
Jennifer Jess, Instructional Services
Scott Koziol, Superintendent
Lisa Krosnicki, Finance
Lauren Ringle, Special Education
Kelly Rogers, Special Education
Hannah Sanderson, Career and Technical Education
Laura Snyder, Early Childhood
Alicia Schlehuber, Instructional Services
Angie Trudeau, Instructional Services
Sarah Weaver, Implementation

Podcasts:

Additional resources

AI Hub (Active Implementation Hub from National Implementation Research Network)
SISEP (State Implementation and Scaling-Up of Evidence-based Practices)
Multi-Level Prevention System | Center on Multi-Tiered Systems of Support
MiMTSS 
MTSS MDE
National Center on Intensive Intervention
PBIS.org 
MICIP

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