First Steps: Service Coordinator

 

 

In order to support families to be active, equal participants in the IFSP meeting, it is imporatant for the service coordinator to help the family prepare several different pieces of information to share at the meeting. This information is outlined below.

 

Information for families to share at the initial IFSP meeting

1. Define their own present level of development and that of their child
2. Have the outcomes they want for their child and their family developed before the meeting
3. Identify their supports and resources for their child and their family
4. Decide with the service coordinator when they would like to select their early intervention providers (either in the IFSP meeting or afterwards)

Next are the regulations that govern how an IFSP is developed, reviewed and evaluated. Read the statutes carefully and think about how they will be applied.

 

Sec. 303.343

Participants in IFSP meetings and periodic reviews.

(a) Initial and annual IFSP meetings.

1. Each initial meeting and each annual meeting to evaluate the IFSP must include the following participants:

i. The parent or parents of the child.

ii. Other family members, as requested by the par­ent, if feasible to do so.

iii. An advocate or person outside of the family, if the parent requests that the person participate.

iv. The service coordinator who has been working with the family since the initial referral of the child for evaluation, or who has been designated by the public agency to be responsible for implementa­tion of the IFSP.

v. A person or persons directly involved in conduct­ing the evaluations and assessments in Sec. 303.322.

vi. As appropriate, persons who will be providing ser­vices to the child or family.

2. If a person listed in paragraph (a)(1)(v) of this section is unable to attend a meeting, arrangements must be made for the person’s involvement through other means, including—

i. Participating in a telephone conference call;

ii. Having a knowledgeable authorized representative attend the meeting; or

iii. Making pertinent records available at the meeting.

(Note: Document on signature page how they participated.)

 

(b) Periodic review.

Each periodic review must provide for the participation of persons in paragraphs (a)(1)(i) through (a)(1)(iv) of this section. If conditions warrant, provisions must be made for the participation of other representatives identified in paragraph (a) of this section.

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1820-0550)

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1436(b))

 

When selecting who will be on the IFSP team there are a number of qualities that need to be considered. The following list can be shared with prospective team members to help them remember what their role is in the meeting. Every team member should be able to meet the characteristics given.

 

Effective Team Member Characteristics

• Support the team
• Help the team to succeed
• Ensure all viewpoints are explored
• Express opinions, both for and against
• Compliment team members on team efforts
• Provide open, honest, and accurate information
• Protect and defend the team
• Act in a positive and constructive manner
• Provide appropriate feedback
• Understand personal and team roles
• Bring problems to the team (upward feedback)
• Accept ownership for team decisions
• Balance appropriate levels of participation
• Participate voluntarily
• Maintain confidentiality
• Show loyalty to the team
• View criticism as an opportunity to learn
• State problems, along with alternative solutions/options
• Give praise and recognition when warranted
• Operate within the boundaries of team rules
• Approach other team member when his or her behavior is not helping the team
• Share ideas freely and enthusiastically
• Encourage others to express their ideas fully
• Ask others for their opinions and listen to them
• Critique ideas, not people
• Avoid disruptive behavior such as side conversations and inside jokes
• Avoid defensiveness when fellow team members disagree with your ideas
• Attend meetings regularly and promptly

 

Reflections questions:

What strategies can you think of that would make it easier and more comfortable for families to share about themselves?

 

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