Service Coordination under IDEA

Within the parameters of IDEA's regulations, states have much discretion in developing their service coordination system. States and communities have different approaches or models of service coordination. Service coordinators may be "dedicated", meaning that service coordination is their only role. In a "blended" or primary service provider model, all of the professionals on the Early Intervention team may perform the functions of service coordination for their assigned families in addition to providing a specific EI service. Service coordination caseloads vary according to the different models, and whether or not there are standards or maximum limits.

See Part C Service Coordination: State Policies and Models (PDF: 176kb) for more information.

Service Coordination Caseloads in State Early Intervention Systems (PDF: 107kb) - This document describes the different state approaches to service coordination.

Information about service coordination in your state is available from the state Part C Program Coordinator

This page presents a compilation of states' on-line courses or modules that are part of a credentialing or qualification process for service coordinators and other early intervention providers. Additionally, there is a collection of on-line training materials that states are using in early intervention programs to provide inservice supports for EI providers. (page created February 1, 2010)

The Research and Training Center was a national initiative to examine the status of service coordination for children with disabilities and their families receiving early intervention services under Part C of IDEA. The project was completed in 2004, but publications are available on the Center's website.

Based on the Research and Training Center's recent research on perceived outcomes of early intervention, ERIC has prepared a News Brief -- What Do Professionals and Parents Want from Early Childhood Services?

Young children with disabilities often have many medical issues and it is essential to link the care systems of early intervention, education and health. The medical philosophy and practice of family-centered care parallels family-centered practices in early intervention. There is also a parallel emphasis on care coordination and service coordination in order that families can easily access integrated services and community supports.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) provides a policy brief with descriptions of role of families and primary care pediatricians and recommendations for assuring quality care coordination. Use the link above to go the AAP policy statements. Enter the key words: "care coordination" in the search engine to locate the policy statement.

(PDF: 823kb) by Johnson, K. & Rosenthal, J. (2009)
National Academy for State Health Policy.
Young children often fall through the cracks between pediatric primary health care providers and providers of mental health, early intervention, child welfare, and early care and education services. This monograph describes interagency policies and strategies to improve care coordination and linkages that support families.

Within the National Center of Medical Home Initiatives for Children with Special Needs (National Center) a training program has been developed for primary care physicians, pediatric office staff, child health advocates, allied health care professionals, and parents of children with special needs. The medical home training program focuses on how to ensure that children with special needs have a medical home (care that is accessible, family-centered, continuous, comprehensive, coordinated, compassionate, and culturally competent) in changing health care environments.

This is the final report of the three-year study entitled An Outcomes-Based Approach to Evaluating Service Coordination Models (PDF: 221kb) . The purpose of the study was to investigate three commonly used Part C service coordination models, examining the degree to which services are delivered efficiently, including a cost analysis, as well as their effect on child and family outcomes. The goal of this project was to identify those service coordination strategies that best support system efficiency and child and family quality of life and developmental outcomes.