Early Childhood Team (ECT)
Once the screening, assessments, and evaluations have been completed,
staff from the local CDS site will convene an Early Childhood
Team (ECT) Meeting to determine eligibility for services. The
ECT is made up of the parent, staff from CDS, and others, such
as evaluators or providers of services who may have information
to share. The purpose of the meeting is to determine your child's
eligibility and to develop an Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP).
If the child is age 3 to 5 years old, the family may choose to
have the team develop an IFSP or an Individual Education Program
(IEP), after the differences between the two have been explained
to the family and you have consented.
FMI: See, IEPs, Chapter 6.
The IFSP has components similar to the IEP for the school-age
child. It includes:
- A statement of the present level of functioning, including
how the disability affects the child's participation in appropriate
activities;
- A statement of annual goals (or major outcomes), including
short term objectives;
- Specific early intervention services or special education
and related services and the extent to which the services will
be provided in settings in which children without disabilities
would participate, including the natural environment;
- Projected dates for the initiation of services and the location,
frequency, intensity and anticipated duration of services;
- A statement of any individual modifications in the administration
of state or district assessments;
- A statement of any transition services needed for the child;
- A statement about the family's resources, priorities, and
concerns;
- The name of the Service Coordinator; and
- The other service needs such as medical and social, which
are not required by IDEA.
These statements and specifications will be revisited on a regular
basis to determine if progress is being made, as will criteria
for determining if the goals and objectives have been met and
what transition or other services will be needed. The parent's
signature indicates consent for initial placement and approval
of the IFSP or IEP.
CDS may provide any of the following services to children who
qualify as a result of the Early Childhood Team Meeting which
developed the IFSP or IEP:
- Audiology
- Speech and Language Therapy
- Physical Therapy
- Health Services
- Family Counseling
- Medical Services (for diagnostic purposes only)
- Family Training
- Psychological Services
- Service Coordination
- Social Work Services
- Transportation
- Occupational Therapy
- Assistive Technology Devices and Services
- Developmental Therapy/Special Instruction
Children from birth to 2 may be eligible for two additional
early intervention services:
- Nutrition Services
- Vision Services
Identified services for children eligible, birth through 2,
are provided on the basis of a sliding fee scale. Children eligible
for identified services ages, 3 through 5, must be provided the
services "at no cost" to the parent.
