Collaborative services for infants and toddlers with disabilities: perspectives from professionals in an urban setting

Abstract

This study describes issues and challenges faced by 10 Early Head Start (EHS) programs in collaborating with their early intervention (EI) partners serving young children with disabilities and their families in an urban setting. It examined the perspectives of direct service providers and directors from 10 EHS programs regarding the process of developing Individualized Family Service Plans. It was evident that scheduling difficulties, getting everyone together and the use of at least two sets of documents for goal‐setting across programs were the major challenges in coordinating services for children and families dually enrolled in EHS and EI. EHS staff felt it critical not to overwhelm families with multiple meetings, personnel and requirements. EHS directors need to collaborate with their EI counterparts to develop consistent and family‐friendly policies and practices to promote partnerships among EHS, EI and families, thereby promoting and enhancing positive child and family outcomes.

Keywords:

• Early intervention
• Family‐centered practice
• Family service delivery
• Goal setting
• Individualized family service plan
• Interagency collaboration