Birth to Three Early Intervention: Nursing's Role on the Interdisciplinary Team

Abstract

Interdisciplinary collaboration and coordination of services are receiving new emphasis in Birth to Three Early Intervention programs under Part H of Public Law (PL) 102-119 (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, formerly PL 99-457, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act). Public Health Nurses (PHNs) have historically provided health promotion services in the home to families of infants and children with special health and developmental needs, whereas other community programs have provided specific developmental and related services. Now, as the number of professional specialties involved with children with special needs increases, overlap also increases. Nursing is frequently questioned as to its unique contribution. The holistic health perspective of nursing, which integrates all aspects of the health and well-being of individuals and families, can provide especially valuable insight to the assessment, planning, and service delivery processes. Nurses need to not only participate in the planning process during the interdisciplinary planning meetings, but also to contribute their own assessment and recommendations from a nursing perspective. Under PL 102-119, the Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) provides the framework for family-centered planning of services for the infant or young child with special needs. Developed in partnership with the family, this plan identifies strengths, resources, concerns, and priorities based on the family's determination of relevancy (Sokoly & Dokecki, 1992). IFSP development includes formal and informal assessments by qualified professionals who provide their special expertise as shaped by the family's priorities. The health assessment and services called for within PL 102-119 are consistent with public health nursing's focus on prevention and early intervention. Health issues are basic to the definition of children with special health needs and often must be addressed before developmental goals can be...