From Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services
Birth to 3 Program
Children who are eligible for the Birth to 3 Program and their families are entitled to the services on their IFSP. The Birth to 3 Program is responsible for identifying and providing those services that are appropriate to meet each child and family's individual needs. Families have the responsibility to make a good faith effort to make themselves and their child(ren) available for the services that are provided.
This policy applies to missed visits. Missed visits occur when a therapist, teacher or other staff person travels to a family's home or other setting for a scheduled visit and finds no one at home, or the child or family cannot participate in services (e.g., due to child or family illness, child absence from child care).
The missed visits policy does not apply when the parent has called to cancel or reschedule the visit at least [one hour*] in advance of the scheduled service. Whenever possible, cancellations should be made the day prior to the scheduled visit.
The following procedures will apply to missed visits:
1. When one missed visit occurs, the service provider will leave a note and/or call to confirm the date and time of the next visit. [The service provider may notify your family's service coordinator who may assist in follow up contacts.]
2. If an additional missed visit occurs within the following four weeks, your service coordinator will contact you to determine how best to proceed. Possible solutions may include changing the day or time of the visit, or revising the IFSP to adjust services to better meet your child and family needs.
3. If three missed visits occur within a six-week period, you will receive written notice that the missed service(s) will not be provided until an IFSP meeting can be held. An IFSP meeting will be scheduled within a reasonable time to discuss the appropriateness of the service(s) in meeting your child and family needs.
The written notice will include:
a)
The reasons for the suspension of service(s).
b) The date that the missed service(s) will be suspended.
c) A statement that your service coordinator will contact you to schedule
an IFSP meeting.
d) A copy of the Parent and Child Rights.
4. If the County Birth to 3 Program is unable to contact you after making good faith efforts, the county may terminate services based on the "Policy for Terminating Services".
Note: Suspension of a missed service does not affect your child's enrollment in the Birth to 3 program. Other Birth to 3 services will continue to be provided as outlined in the IFSP while a solution to the missed service(s) is planned. *Information in brackets [ ] is optional.