Early Intervention

Question 1

who is early intervention for?

Answer 1

children birth-3 years

• medical condition affecting growth and development
• developmentally delayed
• family and child risk factors for developing a delay

Question 2

EI overview

Answer 2

family driven focusing on education

services provided in “natural environments”

state wide program

• 11 centers in RI
• designated service areas by city/town
• department of human services (DHS)

Question 3

who does the EI interdisciplinary team consist of?

Answer 3

SLP
PT
OT
educator
service coordinator
nurse
social work
nutrition
psychologist
parent support from RIPIN

Question 4

what is the referral process?

Answer 4

Anyone can refer!

-health care providers, families, day care (must include family’s permission)

Question 5

what info is required for a referral?

Answer 5

name of child
DOB
address
phone number
name of parent/guardian
name and # of person making referral
reason for referral
primary language spoken

Question 6

triage:

Answer 6

intake coordinator reviews and triages referrals for eligibility

intake scheduled

Question 7

what are examples of eligibility?

Answer 7

CP
down syndrome
ASD
spina bifida
cleft palate
developmental delay

Question 8

what are examples of ineligibility?

Answer 8

isolated club foot
idiopathic toe walker

refer to other community programs

can return for EI re-eval before 3rd bday if indicated

when 3, can be evaluated by Child Outreach w/in child’s community

Question 9

evaluation and assessment:

Answer 9

2 examiners

parent report, observation and standardized testing

5 domains of development

Question 10

what are the 5 romans of development?

Answer 10

1- motor (fine and gross)
2- Language (receptive & expressive)
3- Cognition
4- Social/emotional 
5- Adaptive skills (feeding, dressing, toiling)

Question 11

common evaluation tests:

Answer 11

Mullen Scales of early learning

Developmental profile of EI

Vineland II

AEPS. Discipline specific evaluations (PLS, PDMS 2)

Question 12

who qualifies for eligibility?

Answer 12

single established condition (SEC)

multiple established condition (MEC)

developmental delays

• 2 SDs in 1 area
• 1.5 SDs in 2 or more areas

Informed clinical option
-eligible for 1 year

Question 13

once eligible:

Answer 13

IFSP developed

family outcomes and interventions defined

PCP informed

Child outcome summary form

coordination with community programs

6 month progress review

re-assess in 1 year for eligibility

referrals at 34.5 months will be referred to the local special education preschool program

Question 14

child outcome:

what 3 areas need to be reported to OSEP

Answer 14

states are required to report to the federal government (Office of Special Ed Programs (OSEP) about 3 different areas

• social/emotional skills
• acquisitions and use of knowledge and skills
• use of appropriate behaviors to meet needs

child assessed initially and at d/c

child compared to same aged peers

info is used to determine if EI services are having a positive impact

Question 15

what are some community programs/supports?

Answer 15

RIPIN- RI parent info network

first connections

rehab centers (Hasbro)

feeding teams, EI and GI

RI school for the deaf

RI vision services

Groden Center

WIC

Brown center for the study of children at risk

Providence center

Headstart/early headstart

Libraries

music together

Gymboree

Providence children’s museums

Question 16

natural environments:

Answer 16

variety of settings where child live, learn and play

home and community settings were ALL typical children participate

everyday routines, activity settings and learning opportunities include:
HOME, playground, lib, child care, stores, bathroom, kitchen, backyard, car rides, etc

Question 17

what is the importance of natural environments?

Answer 17

it is the law (part C of IDEA)

provides opportunities for daily practice

empowers and supports family member as primary influence

strengths and develops lifelong natural supports

enhances autonomy

Question 18

family support approach:

what are common misconceptions?

Answer 18

common misconceptions: more skilled services and higher frequency= better outcomes

home visits provide active learning opportunities by demonstrating, teaching, suggesting, coaching, recommending and modeling routine activities

child’s learning process is ongoing, occurring between visits

Question 19

interdisciplinary approach:

Answer 19

staff works to integrate expertise of team members

provides family more efficient intervention/supports

involves continuous give and take between team members, especially with parents

each discipline trains other disciplines to incorporate their interventions into support for families

each discipline is trained to screen for concerns in other areas of development

Question 20

who is the service coordinator?

Answer 20

primary contact b/w family and EI team

coordinates care with MS’s and specialists

provides parent support and ed

makes referrals w/in EI

provides info and links families with community resources

manages transition to public school special ed

Question 21

transition:

Answer 21

develop plan for child’s d/c at age 3

• process begins at 24 months
• transition can include referral to CEDARR, preschool, special ed program, head start

referral made to school department is a multistep process

• initial meeting at home
• referral meeting, eval and eligibility meeting
• IEP development meeting

Question 22

what is CEDARR family centers?

Answer 22

Comprehensive
Evaluation 
Diagnosis
Assessment
Referral
Re-eval

medicaid eligible children

direct services:

• homebased therapeutic services (HBTS)
• personal assistance support systems (PASS)
• kidsconnect
• respite

Question 23

insurance

Answer 23

department of human services (DHS), administrator for EI programs in RI

2004: Legislature passed mandate requiring private insurance companies to cover EI services up to $5000 per child per calendar year
- no charges, copays or deductibles
- no impact on annual or lifetime benefit under family health insurance plan
- DHS pays for services NOT covered by an insurance company or after $5000 benefit is exhausted
- some privateer out of state insurance companies not covered by mandate
- some limits to clinical therapy services outside of EI as a result of mandate