Weekly Word

Update from Philadelphia Infant Toddler Early Intervention on the current COVID-19 public health crisis and our position on Philadelphia’s Yellow Phase and Modified Green phase as it relates to face-to-face EI services. As a follow-up to the recent State (OCDEL) Regional Meeting with County Leadership, we expect further written guidance from OCDEL shortly. In addition, we are meeting with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health to address our questions specific to Infant Toddler Early Intervention. We are working diligently on the impact of COVID-19 on our operations and, as directed by OCDEL, we are working collaboratively with our County partners in the Southeast to develop a common set of expectations. Based on all of this we are developing a Plan of Action, that applies to both home visits and to Early Learning and Child Care. We will request a legal review of this plan by our Department's counsel prior to its release. Provider Agencies will need to establish written procedures and a protocol that aligns with the County’s Plan of Action, to include the recommended Health Screening measures to ensure the safety of families, Early Learning and Child Care staff and interventionists. We understand that some families are wanting face-to-face services to resume. Until the County’s Plan of Action is finalized, tele-Intervention continues to be the preferred method of service delivery. We also understand that some families have been unable to participate in tele-intervention due to lack of access to

technology and are working to address this gap. If an IFSP team member(s) is identifying a need for a home visit, as part of the Plan of Action, we will establish a protocol for the IFSP team, including the Service Coordinator, to determine and document that tele-intervention alone is not an effective methodology for delivering a specific service on the IFSP. As IFSP team members, your Early Interventionists can plan and prepare the information that will be needed for the IFSP team to determine and document whether a home visit is needed, if the family has requested a home visit or if the Early Interventionist or Service Coordinator is recommending a home visit. Given that this determination and documentation by the IFSP team has not occurred, No Early Interventionist should be providing face-to-face services “at this time." We understand that this situation is very challenging for everyone involved. We will work together with you to ensure that Infant Toddler Early Intervention proceeds in a safe manner. Thank you and Be Safe, Sharon

Sharon J. Burke Health Program Manager Intellectual disAbility Services Infant Toddler Early Intervention Program

Providers, please direct questions to your supervisor.

Contact us: 901 Walnut Street, Suite 634 Philadelphia, PA 19107 Phone: 215-503-4020 Fax: 215-503-1640 Teaching.Collaborative@jefferson.edu

July 3, 2020

Issue 14