Early Intervention Service Coordination Models and Service Coordinator Practices

The relationship between three different service coordinator models (dedicated and independent, dedicated but not independent, and blended) and the use of nine different service coordinator practices was examined in a study of families of infants and toddlers enrolled in the IDEA Part C early intervention program. Results showed that service coordinators provided children and families fewer services when using a dedicated and independent model and that the same service coordinators had less frequent contact with families and early intervention staff compared to service coordinators working in the context of the other two service coordination models. Strengths and limitations of the different service coordination models are discussed.