Parent Choice Grid

Situation / Documentation in Record / Financial Responsibility / Additional Action / TKIDS
The IFSP team does not recommend the type of service. / If the parent is already accessing this service, the serviceis listedon the other resources section at the bottom of the Routines section of the IFSP.
If the parent requests help accessing the service, the service is listed in the notes section of theChild and Family Resources and Case Management Needs page of the IFSP. The Needs box is not checked.
Service coordinator documents communication with the parent and service provider about the service, child progress, etc. and keeps rest of the team informed. / Parent / Service Coordinator will serve as information conduit between team and service provider. Service provider will be invitedto attend IFSP meetings. / Service is not entered into TKIDS and provision of service is not included in contractor’s count of direct delivered service hours.
The IFSP team recommends the service but the parent wants a greater intensity or frequency than the team’s recommendation. / The type, frequency, and intensity of IFSP team’s recommended services are entered into the services pages.
If the parent is already accessing service that is in excess of the team’s recommendation, the excess serviceis listedon the other resources section at the bottom of the Routines section of the IFSP.
If the parent requests help accessing the excess service, the excess service is listed in the notes section of the Child and Family Resources and Case Management Needs page of the IFSP. The Needs box is not checked.
Service coordinator documents communication with the parent and service provider about the service, child progress, etc. and keeps rest of the team informed. / Parent / Service Coordinator will serve as information conduit between team and service provider. Service provider will be invited to attend IFSP meetings. / Service in excess is not entered into TKIDS and provision of service that is in excess of the team’s recommendations is not included in contractor’s count of direct delivered service hours.
The ECI contractor has the necessary personnel (employee or contractor) to provide the recommended service but the parent chooses a provider outside of ECI.
ECI contractor hires/contracts and trains the service provider. / The type, frequency, and intensity of IFSP team’s recommended services are entered into the services pages and identified as Program Provided.
Service provider provides ECI program with documentation of service to support entry of data in TKIDS. / ECI / Everyone wins! / Planned and delivered services are enteredinto TKIDS and provision of service is included in contractor’s count of direct delivered service hours once provider is obtained and trained.
The ECI contractor has the necessary personnel (employee or contractor) to provide the recommended service but the parent chooses a provider outside of ECI.Selected provider is unwilling to contract with the ECI provider or cost of contracting/hiring exceeds the ECI program budget. / The type, frequency, and intensity of IFSP team’s recommended services are entered into the services pages and identified as Parent Choice.
Service Coordinator must document discussion of parent choosing non-ECI provider. Must include evidence of informed consent.
Service coordinator documents communication with the parent and service provider about the service, child progress, etc. and keeps rest of the team informed. / Parent / Service Coordinator will serve as information conduit between team and service provider.Service provider will be invitedto attend IFSP meetings. / Planned services are entered into TKIDS.
Delivered service is not entered into TKIDS and not included in contractor’s count of direct delivered service hours.
The ECI contractor does not have the necessary personnel (employee or contractor) to provide the recommended service. / The type, frequency, and intensity of IFSP team’s recommended services are entered into the services pages and identified as Program Provided.
Service provider provides ECI program with documentation of service to support entry of data in TKIDS. / ECI / The ECI contractor must obtain and train an employee or contractor to provide the services. / Planned and delivered services are entered into TKIDS and provision of service is included in contractor’s count of direct delivered service hours provided once provider is obtained and trained.
The ECI contractor does not have the necessary personnel (employee or contractor) to provide the recommended service, and cannot locate a service provider or cost of contracting/hiring exceeds the ECI program budget. / The type, frequency, and intensity of IFSP team’s recommended services are entered into the services pages.
Service coordinator documents communication with the parent and service provider about the service, child progress, etc. and keeps rest of the team informed. / See Program Arranged Grid. / See Program Arranged Grid.
Service Coordinator will serve as information conduit between team and service provider. Service provider will be invited to attend IFSP meetings. / See Program Arranged Grid.
Delivered service is not entered into TKIDS and not included in contractor’s count of direct delivered service hours.

Reminders/hints to ECI contractors:

ECI contract funds can be used to pay contracted service providers to attend training and meetings. Customary practice is to reimburse training and meetings at a lesser rate than service provision.

The following are advantages of contracting with or becoming an employee of the ECI contractor:

  • ECI contractor will do the marketing.
  • ECI contractor will provide a steady stream of individuals in need of services.
  • ECI will pay for training that goes beyond training required for licensure.
  • ECI will provide free training on service provision for children under three thereby helping the professional establish expertise in a specialized population.
  • ECI contractor will verify client benefits, obtain service authorization, bill for services, and follow-up with insurance companies.
  • ECI contractor will collect payment for services from family (e.g., insurance co-pays) and pursue delinquent payments.
  • Service provider will getpaid regardless of the ECI contractor’s success with billing and collections.

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April 2015