Arizona Early Intervention Program IDEA 2011 Requirements -Assessment -

Child and Family Assessment Initial assessment of the child and family conducted prior to child’s initial Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) meeting NEW Requires consent prior to the child assessments NEW

Child and Family Assessment Unless not clearly feasible to do so, family assessments must be conducted in the native language of the family members involved in the assessment NEW Be voluntary on the part of each family member participating in the assessment NEW Family assessment includes the use of an assessment tool and interview with family members that elect to participate NEW

Purpose of Assessment Family AssessmentChild Assessment To identify the family’s resources, priorities and concerns and the supports and services necessary to enhance the family’s capacity to meet their child’s needs To identify the child’s unique strengths and needs, within context and routines, and the early intervention services appropriate to meet those needs Must be: Family directed Voluntary on the part of each family member participating Based on use of assessment tool and family interview Must include: review of evaluation results, if evaluation for eligibility was conducted Personal observations of the child Identification of the child’s needs in each of the developmental areas

Initial Assessment Process Eligible by record review At the end of the initial visit, the service coordinator will: Eligible by evaluation At the end of the evaluation visit, a team member will: Provide and explain the Child and Family Assessment Guide for Families Ask the family which family members they would like to participate in the assessment Obtain consent for Child Assessment Schedule the Assessment visit

DRAFT

Initial Assessment Process Child Eligible by record review Child Eligible by evaluation Assessment visit occurs as a separate visit between the initial visit and the IFSP meeting Assessment visit occurs as a separate visit between the evaluation visit and the IFSP meeting Two core team members requiredOne evaluation team member (or other appropriate team member) and an AzEIP service providing agency service coordinator required

Initial Assessment Process Child Eligible by record review Child Eligible by evaluation CONT’D: In addition, an AzEIP service providing agency service coordinator (DDD, ASDB or DES/AzEIP) may participate CONT’D: The AzEIP service providing agency service coordinator required to attend may be from DDD, ASDB or DES/AzEIP* If the AzEIP service providing agency service coordinator (DDD or ASDB) and the team member(s) are unable to schedule the assessment visit timely, the AzEIP service coordinator (from the initial planning process) would participate in the assessment visit. This service coordinator must then also attend the initial IFSP meeting.

Initial Assessment Process The Team members involved with assessment: Meet with the family and review the purpose of assessment and process Ensure consent for Child Assessment has been obtained or obtain it before the assessment

Initial Assessment Process The Team members involved with assessment: Ask the family if they had time to look at or complete the Child and Family Assessment Guide and wish to use it in the discussion Offer a copy of the Guide if the family does not have it (not to complete but to reference during the discussion) Document discussion with the family on the Child and Family Assessment Pages of the IFSP

DRAFT

Initial Assessment Process The same discussion used to complete the child assessment is used for the Child Indicator Summary Process Introduce the Child Indicators and explain to family the importance of measuring progress Ensure that you have a Decision Making Tree and Definitions of the Ratings Complete Child Indicators Entry Form with the family

DRAFT

Initial Assessment Process Summarize the assessment visit: –Review the information gathered during the assessment to support the development of the IFSP Priorities identified may become outcomes Natural Resources considered when developing steps and services necessary to meet the outcomes –Schedule the date for the Initial IFSP meeting

Annual Assessment Planning Prior ( 1-2 weeks) to the annual assessment meeting, the Team Lead or Service Coordinator will: –Provide and explain the Child and Family Assessment Guide for Families –Ask the family which family members they would like to participate

Annual Assessment The Child and Family Assessment: Must include the involvement of two or more disciplines or professions, one of which may be the service coordinator May be conducted prior to, right before, or during the Annual IFSP meeting Must include Consent for Child Assessment Unless clearly not feasible, must be provided in the language normally used by the parents; for the purposes of the child assessment, the language normally used by the child, if determined developmentally appropriate

Annual Assessment Process Team members meet with the family and review the purpose of assessment and the process. The members also: Ask family if they had time to look at or complete the Child and Family Assessment Guide and wish to use it in the discussion Offer a copy of the Guide if the family doesn’t have it (not to complete but to reference during the discussion)

Annual Assessment Process Team members meet with the family and review the purpose of assessment and the process. The members also: Document assessment discussion on the Child and Family Assessment Pages of the IFSP Proceed with completion of Annual IFSP

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