2016
January
Out of Catchment Services—Reminder
Programs may enroll children from out of catchment, when they have the capacity to meet the individual needs of the child and family in the home or other community setting. In addition, programs must continue to inform families, in writing, of the program that serves the town in which they reside. EIPs are responsible for providing individualized services to families as outlined in the IFSP. Occasionally this means that services may be provided outside of the service area of the program. Programs are encouraged to consider requests for out of catchment services on an individualized basis…
The Part C Federal Regulations include the provision of screening as a post-referral activity. This was designed for states with high referral rates not meeting the 45 day timeline from referral to IFSP meeting.
DPH does not include screening procedures in the MA EI Operational Standards. DPH does allow for an initial home visit coded as an Intake to share and gather information from families regarding eligibility…
Transition—Handling an “Almost Late EI Referral”
In order to meet the 90-day compliancy timeframe EI programs should make sure that transition is discussed as soon as possible with families considered to be an “almost late EI referral.” An “almost late EI referral” is a referral where the IFSP is signed when the child is between 30 and 32 months of age.
April
Do Not Handle: EIIS Machine
Oftentimes IT support staff at your program will do updates to all computers within your agency or program to keep up with security, virus and browser updates.
May
“Early Intervention Billing Guidelines for Staff“ This document was developed by the Standards Committee of the ICC and the DPH, to be used as a reference document/tool for programs to accurately reflect billing activities…
June
July
Massachusetts Act Early Team Awarded Grant Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs (AMCHP)
Replacement of EI Training Center Competency Certificates
August
As announced last month, Foundations of MA EI (Part I) training is replacing Building A Community, Part I (BAC I) as one of the required workshops for new hire orientation…
September
Quick Reminder:
Sue Murray’s last name changed to Grossman this summer (Congratulations Mrs. Grossman!). Please be sure to change your contact information for her email addresses; Secure Mail & Interchange, to susan.grossman@state.ma.us and/or SecureMail: susan.grossman@eohhs-sfed.state.ma.us. We are not certain how long her emails will continue to be forwarded.
Attached you will find a memo to providers that gives an update on the status of the planned EIIS/Fiscal data system…
WIP Group: New Web-based Data System Stakeholder Group
We are reconvening the “WIP” (Web-system In Progress) stakeholder group on Wednesday September 28th at 10-11:30 am at Criterion Valley EIP, 375 Fortune Boulevard Milford, MA…..
September is Emergency Preparedness Month!
Get Ready, Be Informed, Plan Ahead, Be Prepared. Given the daily challenges many families face, emergency preparedness is not first and foremost on their minds…
Resource: Parenting Tip Sheets in 14 Languages!
“Welcome Here” is a website that hosts an excellent collection of parenting tip sheets– 10 in all, that are available in 14 languages with English as the second page for each. Please feel free to share widely with families and community members, too.
Announcing Registration for Pyramid Model Learning Communities in 3 Regions
Developing systems to support the social emotional well-being for young children and their families in your region…
Check out the latest offering from the CDC’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early” Program
Milestones in Action is a FREE library of photos and videos of developmental milestones…
Institute for Health & Recovery (IHR) recently became aware of a resource that EI staff may find useful. Mom’s Mental Health Matters is a new initiative to raise awareness among pregnant and postpartum mothers, their families, and health care providers about depression and anxiety during pregnancy and after the baby is born…
Don’t forget, October is NCSEAM Family Survey month. All programs should have received a shipment of surveys, cover flyers and stamped, self-addressed envelopes from Scantron the third week in August. If by any chance you did not receive your new surveys, please let either Suzanne Gottlieb or Patti Fougere know as soon as possible…
Based on feedback the Department has received from the transportation brokers as well as the staff at MAXIMUS, there are situations where the local EI programs submitting PT-I forms aren’t given the ability to prescribe up to 3 years…
Please see the attached fact sheets related to the Zika virus and share with families enrolled in your program. These flyers are available in English, Portuguese, Spanish, French and Haitian Creole.
October
Meaningful Language for Parents
Programs are reminded that both state and federal laws require that meaningful language access is afforded to parents of children receiving EI services who are of limited English proficiency (LEP). Title VI of the Civil Rights Act protects individuals from discrimination on the basis of their race, color, or national origin in program that receive federal assistance, including Part C services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act…
Resource for Learning More about Substance Use Disorders
Looking for resources for learning more about substance use disorders? Although this website is directed toward child welfare and legal professionals, this resource contains information that may be useful to EI staff: Online Tutorials for Child Welfare Professionals and Legal Professionals…
It’s the 30th Anniversary of IDEA Part B, Section 619, and IDEA Part C! During the week of October 3-7, 2016 OSEP celebrated 30 years of early intervention services and preschool special education under IDEA…
Airline travel can be a challenge for any of us in today’s world, but for a family with a child diagnosed with Autism, this can be a very difficult experience!…
Certification for Early Intervention Specialists is a lengthy and sometimes complicated process. Here are some reminders to keep the process moving along stress-free and in a timely manner….
Early Intervention Certification Manual: How can I get it?
There are now two ways that EI staff can obtain the Certification (CEIS) manual for the portfolio process…
December
There have been a number of questions regarding the change in status for SLP Clinical Fellows by the state licensing board. The regulation comes from the state licensing board (so not ASHA). This is not DPH. The candidate is still practicing their CF year, that has not changed, but in order for a program to be able to be reimbursed for their services, they would need to meet as a DS category a – d…
Where is YOUR ASQ:SE – 2? …Tips
Specific changes include:
The “What is the ASQ:SE-2” is a handout to be used with parents and caregivers to explain the importance of social-emotional development as a foundation for learning, as well as explaining the tool…
Child and Family Eligibility Factors
DPH would again extend its appreciation to member of the ICC Standards Committee for their very thorough review of the Child and Family Eligibility factors (formerly known as Child and Family Risk Factors)…
DPH Zika-related campaign messaging specifically targets 1) women who are pregnant or considering becoming preg-nant and are planning travel to Zika-affected areas and/or their male sexual partners; and 2) pregnant women from countries with active transmission who are staying temporarily in Massachusetts…
The MA DPH has updated it PR materials to reflect the MA Mission & Key Principles. The new EI brochure and flyers for referral sources and community collaborators, provides consistent language and messaging of the MA EI system.
Hot off the press: New EI materials are available at the Clearinghouse and for download: www.eiplp.org/ei-materials/..