Early Intervention Service Coordinator Supervision: A Scoping Review

Abstract

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA, 2004) governs the Early Intervention (EI) system for families of children aged birth-3 with developmental delays and disabilities. Within this system, families have a key point of contact, their service coordinator (SC), who manages their evaluations and services. Although their responsibilities are vast, the literature examining service coordinator supervision practices is limited. This scoping review was conducted to examine service coordinator practices and supports, and to identify areas of need that their supervisor could address. SC practices in EI are influenced by both program-level factors, such as service delivery models, and individual-level factors, including SCs’ background knowledge and training. Supervisors emerged as a central yet underexplored influence that can shape SCs’ accountability, facilitate professional development opportunities, and provide emotional support. These findings highlight supervision as a critical role for strengthening service coordination. Implications for future research on service coordination and supervision are discussed.