In response to recent departmental updates, the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) and the Bureau of Early Intervention Services and Family Supports is releasing updated Early Intervention (EI) COVID resource materials, including FAQ, a flow chart for selecting Service Delivery Strategies, and a COVID screener for in-person EI services.

Highlights of the changes in the materials updated include:

• Tele-intervention can continue to be used as a safe and effective Service Delivery Strategy when it best meets the needs for children and their families.
• Families may request to resume their in-home (in-person) services but still must abide by the universal mask order and screening protocols.
• The Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) and Individualized Education Program (IEP) teams should problem solve how to support the request.
• Changes to the materials are not guidance related to location of service but rather guidance regarding services that the team determined to be in-home.

Below are the following resource materials:

• Infant Toddler Consolidated FAQ
• Pre-School EI Consolidated FAQ
• Updated Selecting Service Delivery Strategy Flow Chart
• COVID Screener for In-Person EI Services
• COVID Family Guidelines
• COVID Professional Guidelines

To respond to these changes, local program leaders will need to remove any decision-making procedures, beyond screening and abiding by the universal mask order, which would prevent families from receiving in-person service delivery. Everyone should continue to practice appropriate public health measures to slow the spread of COVID-19 such as masking, physical distancing, and hand hygiene.

If you have additional questions, please contact RCPA Children’s Director Jim Sharp.