How is the progress of my child's Early Intervention services monitored and evaluated?

As a parent, it's important to stay informed about your child's progress while they are receiving Early Intervention services. Monitoring and evaluating progress can help ensure that your child is receiving appropriate services and support, and that they are making progress towards their goals. In this blog post, we will explain the process of tracking progress to help manage your expectations as a parent.

When your child begins Early Intervention services, an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) will be developed. This plan will outline the specific services and supports that your child will receive, as well as setting the short and long-term goals (outcomes/objectives) of working towards their milestones. IFSP meetings occur every 6 months and progress will be reviewed and re-assessed during these meetings.

Providers working with your child are responsible for completing quarterly progress reports. In order to complete these, providers will reference assessment tools, collaborate with you and the child’s other providers, as well as, utilize their own clinical judgement, to assess the child’s progress over the past three months since starting Early Intervention services. Providers will also collaborate with you in regards to which goals have been reached and if any should be added to the child’s IFSP for the next 6 months.

Progress notes are expected to be submitted to the child’s service coordinator in advance of the IFSP meeting. During these meetings, the team will review the progress made, evaluate the effectiveness of the services provided and make any necessaryadjustments to the IFSP plan. If appropriate, new goals will be established for your child for the duration of the subsequent IFSP period.

It's important to note that as a parent, you have the right to participate in the IFSP meetings, provide input, and be informed of the progress of your child. You also have the right to request additional evaluations or assessments if you feel that your child is not making progress as expected.

If new evaluations or services are warranted, amendment meetings (IFSP meetings that occur between the start and end date of an IFSP period) may occur to discuss the addition of a new service and to include corresponding goals to the IFSP plan.

During regular service delivery, all providers are expected to provide regular updates to parents/caregivers to discuss improvements, suggestions and any resources that may be helpful in supporting the child while in the Early Intervention program.