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First Steps: Service Coordinator
Unit IV Lesson 4: Potential issues
Common Issues that May Arise
During the process of ongoing service coordination and IFSP implementation, there is potential for issues to arise.
1. What do you do when a therapist leaves and you can’t find another one for the family?
First, be sure you have exhausted all options on the provider matrix for that service. There may be some providers willing to provide services outside the area they indicated on the matrix. If you are still having trouble and you are aware of a provider of this service that is not enrolled with First Steps, you may want to ask them if they are willing to enroll. If none of this works, you can call DESE to let them know of the need for recruitment for this type of provider in your area. The IFSP team may also consider compensatory services if there is a period of time the child will be without a necessary service listed on the IFSP.
2. What if the family lists so many outcomes they can’t be addressed in a year?
The family may very well have a number of concerns and hopes for the child and it is a positive thing that they express these as they embark upon the IFSP discussion of outcomes. It is appropriate and helpful for the service coordinator, in concert with other team members, to help guide the discussion and ask some questions to help the family narrow down what areas are most important and realistic to work on during the coming year. It can always be mentioned that the IFSP is not a document that never changes. The team will review it in at least 6 months, if not sooner, and revisions can always be made as the team observes and analyzes the child’s progress and reassesses priorities of the family and opinions of service providers.
3. What if the family changes their mind and wants to review the IFSP?
The family can request another meeting of the team to discuss the changes they might want to make in the IFSP.
4. What if the family declines all of the services?
As the service coordinator, you should explain they have the right to decline services and let them know this means the child will not remain in First Steps, since no early intervention services are being provided. Make sure the family understands the benefits of First Steps, the rights the family has benefit to under this system, and that these will not be available to them when they are no longer in the system. You can explain that the parent has the right to refer their child to First Steps again if they change their mind and decide they do want First Steps services. Also document in the contact log the family has declined services.
5. Who fills out the IFSP?
Ultimately, it is the service coordinator’s responsibility to make sure the IFSP is completed and timely. However, if the service coordinator wants to assign someone else to actually record the information on the IFSP, then that is acceptable.
6. Who is supposed to inform the family about formal reviews and evaluations?
The intake coordinators and service coordinators have the responsibility of informing the parents about these evaluations. Once the process has been set in motion and a service provider has been contacted to set up an evaluation, it is possible that the service provider will have some direct contact with the family regarding the logistics (date, time, etc.) related to the evaluation/assessment, but the service coordinator needs to be informed if there are any problems along the way
During the process of ongoing service coordination and IFSP implantation, there is potential for issues to arise. Look at these and then think of strategies and options the ongoing service coordinator might find useful in assisting to resolve the issue.