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Policy & Guidance


From Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services Birth to 3 Program

 
Sample Policy for Terminating Services

There are instances when the child is no longer participating in services and family does not respond to contact by the provider or county. These unsuccessful attempts at contact must be documented. When good faith efforts are made (see below), the county may terminate early intervention services if written notice is given to the family.

Good faith efforts require repeated (three or more) attempts in a four-week period to contact the family by phone, mail, and home visits.

Other strategies to contact the family might include:
· Involving other agencies involved with the family such as public health, social services
· Making visits to the place of employment
· Contacting other family members

Procedures for terminating early intervention services must include:

1) Providing written notice at least 15 days prior to the termination of services. The notice should include:

a) Description of the attempts to contact the family.
b) The reasons for termination of services.
c) The date of termination.
d) A copy of the Parent and Child Rights.
e) The date by which the family must contact the county or service coordinator to avoid termination

2) Providing several options for contacting the county or service coordinator, such as phone numbers for the service coordinator and county coordinator and a return letter with stamped envelope

3) Informing the parents that the child remains eligible until age three and that the parents may call at any time to reinstate IFSP services

4) Using registered mail to verify delivery