Module II: Evaluation and Assessment
Unit II Lesson 1: Assessment definition
Assessment
Once a child is eligible for First Steps, the assessment process begins. We do mean process. Assessment is an ongoing procedure that occurs throughout the child’s period of eligibility.
You may be wondering: “The eligibility determination included testing. Why do we need to do more?” Eligibility determination is about making the decision that the child is eligible for First Steps services. Assessment, on the other hand, is done to gather additional information (only if needed beyond the eligibility information) to take to the IFSP meeting where outcomes, strategies, and services are determined. A lot of good, meaningful information about a child’s functional skills may have been obtained during evaluation for eligibility, and it should be used for IFSP development. However, there will be occasions when assessment after eligibility may be necessary so that the team has good developmental information about the child’s skills going into the IFSP meeting. To better understand this distinction, let’s look at the definition of assessment.
Assessment definition
Assessment refers to the ongoing procedures used by appropriate, qualified personnel to identify:
- The child’s unique strengths and needs and the services appropriate to meet those needs
- The resources, priorities, and concerns of the family and the supports and services necessary to enhance the family’s capacity to meet the developmental needs of their child with a disability
- The nature and extent of early intervention services that are needed by the child and the child’s family to meet the needs of the child (i.e., assessment for service planning purposes)
In reviewing the difference between evaluation and assessment, it is important to remember that evaluation is used in determining First Steps eligibility while an assessment in First Steps refers to the ongoing procedures used to determine a child’s progress and changes to the IFSP .
Roles in IFSP planning
The following outlines the provider’s role in the IFSP planning process.
- The service coordinator determines that additional information is needed to develop the child’s IFSP. The service coordinator provides prior written notice to the parent(s) and with the help of the parent(s), as appropriate, arranges for the assessment to take place.
- The service coordinator provides authorization for the assessment.
- The provider(s) conducts the assessment and writes a report.
- The provider(s) submits the report to the service coordinator along with the protocol in a timely fashion.
- The service coordinator uses the information in the report to help the parent(s) plan for their child’s IFSP and assists the IFSP team to develop an appropriate IFSP for the child.
Review questions:
1. When does the FS assessment process end?
2. What are the three defined components of assessment?
3. What are the provider roles in IFSP planning?
Reflection questions:
1. Why is an assessment an ongoing process?
2. An evaluation determines if a child is admitted to the FS program. Why should the parents be involved in the assessment process?
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If you have a question about this module please check the Q & A pages. If you still have a question after reviewing the Q & A pages please send an email to: webreplyspefs@dese.mo.gov or call 573.751.0187