POLICY

  1. The parent has the right to accept or decline any or all services without jeopardy to other services. Refusals of services or referrals shall be documented in writing.
  2. Providers shall render authorized services as indicated in the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). They shall provide direct service reports to the Service Coordinator at least every six months and prior to each IFSP update/review or more often if the child's progress/lack of progress warrants.
  3. All Evaluations for the purpose of adding new types of services to existing IFSPs shall be provided only by credentialed/enrolled providers who hold current Evaluation/Assessment credentials. NOTE: See the "Evaluation Authorizations" subsection found in the "Early Intervention Eligibility Determination" section of this manual.
  4. The Illinois Early Intervention (EI) Services System is not responsible for funding early intervention services that a parent privately seeks from providers not enrolled with the system, unless an enrolled provider cannot be made available to the family. If services must be accessed outside of the System due to no available enrolled providers, those services must be pre-approved by the Department and a provisional authorization must be requested. See the "Provider Selection" sub-section found in the "Individualized Family Service Plan Development" section of this manual for steps to implement a provisional authorization.

PROCEDURE

  1. Upon receiving the parent's informed, signed consent to implement services on Section 7 of the IFSP (Implementation and Distribution Authorization):
    1. Arrange for implementation of the IFSP utilizing available enrolled providers. Every effort shall be made to refer families eligible for DSCC services to DSCCenrolled providers.
    2. Provide copies of the IFSP as soon as reasonably possible but no more than 15 business days after the IFSP meeting to each person that the parent has consented to receive a copy, including each enrolled provider who is providing EI services to the child who is the subject of that plan and other individuals/agencies/physicians for whom the parent has consented to receive a copy of the plan. Include a copy of the Insurance Report to EI Service Providers and a copy of the Family Fee Report to the family. If applicable also include the following:
      1. Front and back of family's insurance card;
      2. Insurance Affidavit, Assignment, and Release form (pdf); and
      3. Insurance Exemption Request form (pdf)
      4. Note: A copy of the IFSP must be provided to every member of the IFSP team, with the exception of Assistive Technology and Transportation providers.
  • Assist the family in monitoring the implementation of the IFSP, assess the family's satisfaction with the services and/or supports that are being provided and verify the accuracy of demographic and financial information.
  1. Communicate monthly with the family via a face-to-face meeting or phone call. If the family cannot be seen via a face-to-face meeting or reached by phone, written correspondence may be utilized. However, face-to-face meetings or phone calls are preferred modes of communication. Document the communication in case notes.
  • Update and maintain each child's permanent and electronic case record as needed after each monthly face-to-face meeting or phone call or at any time during the IFSP period that it is determined that information has changed.