{"id":5383,"date":"2021-01-19T14:45:00","date_gmt":"2021-01-19T14:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.veipd.org\/earlyintervention\/?p=5383"},"modified":"2021-10-15T21:45:38","modified_gmt":"2021-10-15T21:45:38","slug":"call-to-action-service-coordination-and-early-intervention-dec-itca-position-statement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.veipd.org\/earlyintervention\/2021\/01\/19\/call-to-action-service-coordination-and-early-intervention-dec-itca-position-statement\/","title":{"rendered":"Call to Action! Service Coordination and Early Intervention \u2013 DEC\/ITCA Position Statement"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Seal<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The presence of an engaged service coordinator who understands the role and skillfully conducts the  many responsibilities of the position ensures a well-coordinated approach to EI service delivery. It is widely acknowledged in the EI field that families have the right to high-quality, individualized EI services; our field must commit to including service coordination in this acknowledgement by ensuring that the professionals who provide this service receive the attention, understanding, respect, and resources they need and deserve.<\/em> (DEC and ITCA, 2020, p 10)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wow. This quote is from the summary of the Service Coordination and Early Intervention \u2013 Division for Early Childhood (DEC) and IDEA Infant & Toddler Coordinators Association (ITCA) Joint Position Statement<\/a> which was recently released in December 2020. It\u2019s a powerful message for our field that\u2019s intended to help us leave behind the unfortunate idea of service coordinators<\/a> as simply paper pushers. It signals to leaders, administrators, and team members, including families, that service coordinators (SCs) are vitally important professionals who play key roles in the delivery of quality early intervention (EI). It\u2019s about time. I\u2019m proud to have been a part of the development of this statement and eager to spread the word.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Joint Call to Action<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The statement was written, reviewed, and finalized as a collaboration between DEC<\/a> and ITCA<\/a>. It represents the voice and beliefs of EI professionals from multiple disciplines who are members of DEC and Part C coordinators across the country. Together, these groups came to the conclusion that we needed a strong Call to Action in support of service coordinators and specific information about the knowledge, skills, beliefs, expertise, roles, and responsibilities of professionals who provide service coordination to encourage consistency across our field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Can You Do?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s break down the four recommendations in the Call to Action and consider how to move the dial forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1: States and local programs should review and align current competencies to the indicators in the Knowledge and Skills for Service Coordinators (KSSC)<\/a> document.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In an appendix, the KSSC<\/em> outlines six knowledge and skill areas that are essential for service coordinators, including: infant and toddler development, family-centered practices, leadership and teaming, coordination of services, transition, and professionalism. Take some time to read it and compare it to guidance or competencies your program uses when hiring and training SCs. If you don\u2019t have program-level competencies, consider adopting these.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2: Leaders who hire, supervise, and mentor service coordinators must have a thorough understanding of the expertise and needs of these professionals. This understanding is essential to ensure that compensation aligns with the level of responsibility expected of service coordinators. Service coordinators also should have appropriate administrative support, reflective supervision, and resources to successfully manage the workload, navigate changes in policies and procedures, and, most importantly, partner with families.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This recommendation focuses on leadership and administrative support, which traditionally varies greatly across EI programs. If you are a leader, be honest with yourself and reflect on what you understand. Can you specifically explain what the SCs in your program do and what they need? If you find holes in your knowledge or how your program functions, make a plan to address them starting today. A few ideas:<\/p>\n\n\n\n