Early Intervention Service Coordination Policies

Effective implementation of service coordination in early intervention, as mandated by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, remains a challenge for most states. The present study provides a better understanding of the various aspects of the policy infrastructure that undergird service coordination across the United States. Data from a national survey of all state Part C coordinators contained critical variables that are used to describe three dimension of the policy infrastructure—responsibilities of the service coordinator, the document used to guide service coordination (Individualized Family Service Plan), and policies that facilitate a comprehensive and interagency coordinated service system. The results indicated that in general, most states do not have a sufficient policy infrastructure to support the implementation of effective service coordination.