1. Module 3 Early ACCESS Process Section 3 Evaluation and Assessment Iowa Department of Education

2. 2 Objectives 1.Explain service coordinator’s role in evaluation and assessment 2.Know Part C eligibility criteria 3.Understand role of Informed Clinical Opinion in eligibility.

3. Iowa Department of Education3 Objectives 4.Be able to correctly coordinate completion of evaluations and assessments. 5.Be able to facilitate the development of the IFSP

4. Iowa Department of Education4 Key Concepts Multidisciplinary Informed Clinical Opinion Evaluation Assessment Iowa’s Eligibility Criteria

5. Iowa Department of Education5 Multidisciplinary The involvement of two or more disciplines or professions in the provision of integrated and coordinated early intervention services, including evaluation and assessment activities and the development of the IFSP.

6. Iowa Department of Education6 Informed Clinical Opinion The integration of the results of evaluations Direct observation in various settings Varied activities with experience, knowledge, and wisdom of qualified personnel.

7. Iowa Department of Education7 Examples Physical Therapist Atypical tone may interfere with developing gross motor skills Occupational Therapist Low muscle tone is interfering with strong suck for bottle drinking May lead to inadequate nutrition and delays in feeding

8. Iowa Department of Education8 Evaluation is: Using data from a VARIETY of sources to make judgments about: »Eligibility for services »Child level of functioning in multiple areas of development »Progress exhibited by the child since the last IFSP review

9. Iowa Department of Education9 Assessment is: The ongoing procedures used by appropriate qualified personnel to identify: 1.The child’s unique strengths and needs and the services appropriate to meet those needs. 2.The resources, priorities and concerns of the family…supports and services necessary to enhance family’s capacity to meet the developmental needs of the child.

10. Iowa Department of Education10 Eligible Children Meet one of the criteria –Have a known condition with high probability of delays if no early intervention services OR –25% or greater developmental delay

11. Iowa Department of Education11 2 day Identification Referral 45 days Orientation (First Contacts) Eligibility Determination Evaluation and Assessment Planning for Initial IFSP Meeting Initial IFSP Meeting Must be completed within 45 days-exception, Family reason OngoingImplementation of the IFSP 6 mo/annual Review and Evaluation of the IFSP 3-9 months before child’s 3rd birthday Development of Transition Plans

12. Iowa Department of Education12 Seven Components Intake (Identification and Referral) Orientation (First Contacts) Determining Eligibility Establish the Child’s Performance Level Develop the IFSP All the above done within 45 days Review IFSP Outcomes Exiting Part C

13. Iowa Department of Education13 Intake Anyone can make a referral With knowledge and approval of parent Can be through Central Point of Contact or by local staff Primary referral sources: –Parents/Family members –Health Care providers (physicians, hospitals, WIC) –Federally funded programs-Head Start –Child Care providers

14. Iowa Department of Education14 How are Service Coordinators assigned? Depends on the agency…

15. Iowa Department of Education15 Orientation-First Contacts Best practice: Family is contacted by SC in 2 business days to: Explore concerns Explain what Early ACCESS has to offer Schedule first meeting Discuss Parental Rights and Procedural Safeguards If interested, sign Consent for Evaluation form If not, may sign to not pursue services

16. Iowa Department of Education16 Determining Eligibility There are three key questions regarding eligibility that need to be answered. They are…

17. Iowa Department of Education17 1. What are the resources, priorities and concerns of the family? This is the Family Assessment…You must get permission from the family to document this information. If the family declines---the process continues, but the assessment focuses on the child instead…

18. Iowa Department of Education18 If the family agrees to assessment, The assessment must: 1.Be conducted by trained personnel 2.Be based on information provided by family through a personal interview 3.And incorporates family’s description of its resources, priorities, and concerns related to enhancing the child’s development.

19. Iowa Department of Education19 2. Who is involved in determining a child’s eligibility? Examples…discussion

20. Iowa Department of Education20 3. How can the child’s eligibility be determined in 45 days? Review existing info Determine what additional data needs to be collected Evaluate child’s level of functioning in all required areas (use RIOT) Assessment of unique strengths and needs of child

21. Iowa Department of Education21 RIOT R--Review of records I--Interview O--Observation T--Test

22. Iowa Department of Education22 Nondiscriminatory Procedures Read on your own…pg. 19

23. Iowa Department of Education23 Interim IFSP May be written prior to the completion of evaluation and assessment if: There is an immediate need Family moves from other state In some cases to meet billing requirements Does not change 45 day timeline!

24. Iowa Department of Education24 Establish Child’s Performance Level Current Functioning in required areas: Cognitive development Physical development including vision and hearing Communication Social or emotional development Adaptive Please use a criterion or norm-referenced tool and RIOT

25. Iowa Department of Education25 The Goal of the IFSP Process Read page 14 of Iowa Administrative Rules for Early ACCESS 281-120.34

26. Iowa Department of Education26 Content of the IFSP 1.Developmental status of child 2.Priorities and concerns of the family 3.Desired outcomes 4.Early intervention services 5.Frequency, intensity, method and location 6.Statement of natural environments

27. Iowa Department of Education27 IFSP 7. Justification for other setting in IFSP 8. Payment arrangements 9. Dates and duration of services 10. Service coordinator 11. Transition at the age of three years 12. Other services

28. Iowa Department of Education28 Activity

29. Iowa Department of Education29 Timely Services Services must start within 30 calendar days of the date the parent gives consent for services at IFSP meeting, also for all new services added later.

30. Iowa Department of Education30 IFSP is a Living Document Outcomes are measured and achieved …progress is recorded Plan is revisited AT LEAST every 6 mo. OR when major changes to the plan are made at a meeting or other means acceptable to parents (conference call) Annual review-all areas reevaluated to determine current level

31. Iowa Department of Education31 Activity Michelle’s Story- Read on your own and we will discuss

32. Iowa Department of Education32 Family’s Role Participate as a team member Share information & observations Identify concerns, priorities & resources Participate in decision making

33. Iowa Department of Education33 Questions