Your Service Coordinator

Your Service Coordinator is named in your Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) to help you coordinate early intervention services. Your Service Coordinator also will work with you to help arrange services in your IFSP and become familiar with the Early Intervention system of services.

In New Jersey, Service Coordinators work through the Special Child Health Services Case Management Unit in each county.

The term "single point of entry" has been assigned to these units, since they serve as a family's "door" to the early intervention service system.

Families can call a Service Coordinator when they receive a diagnosis that their child has a developmental delay or disability - or if they suspect that there is a delay.

Each family has their own Service Coordinator who will have ongoing contact with them. It is the responsibility of the Service Coordinator to:

• Arrange for an evaluation and assessment of each child
• Take part in developing the IFSP, and help review and evaluate it
• Assist families in identifying and arranging available services
• Coordinate and monitor the delivery of available services
• Inform families of the availability of advocacy services
• Coordinate services with medical and health providers
• Help develop a transition plan to preschool or alternative services

Infants and toddlers with developmental delays are treated as part of the family system. The relationship your family has with your Service Coordinator is critical. Your partnership is a key component in a successful, family-centered experience.