8.5.0.1: Coordinating and Documenting Services

Services for all children should be coordinated in a systematic manner so the facility can document all of the services the child is receiving inside of the facility and is aware of the services the child is receiving outside of the facility. If the parents/guardians of a child with disabilities or a child with special health care needs so choose, the facility should be an integral component of the child’s overall service plan.

RATIONALE

Coordination of individualized services is a fundamental component in implementing a plan for care of a child with special health care needs. This is particularly true of the need to coordinate the overall child care with specialized developmental services, therapies, and child care procedures in the facility.

COMMENTS

Children with Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSP) have a service coordinator; children with Individualized Education Programs (IEP) have a primary provider or other identified service coordinator. These are the contact persons within the local education agency or lead agency. This method of service coordination is consistent throughout all of the states under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA). Caregivers/teachers need to become informed of how this system works and what their responsibilities are.

TYPE OF FACILITY

Center, Early Head Start, Head Start, Large Family Child Care Home, Small Family Child Care Home

RELATED STANDARDS

8.4.0.4 Designation and Role of Staff Person Responsible for Coordinating Care in the Child Care Facility