Experiences of Service Coordinators Utilizing the Getting Ready Approach for Home Visits

Abstract

Service coordinators (SCs) in Part C early intervention (EI) programs fulfill critical supportive roles assisting families in accessing and successfully navigating services needed for their infants/toddlers identified with delays or disabilities. However, evidence of effective training for SCs is limited. One state scaled up training in the Getting Ready approach to promoting family–professional partnerships and strengthening home visiting practices of dedicated SCs and their EI provider teammates. In this mixed method study, surveys were completed by 50 trained SCs, their 15 supervisors, and 81 trained EI providers working with the SCs. Forty-one participants were subsequently interviewed in focus groups. Findings indicated SCs’ abilities to fulfill key roles and responsibilities on EI teams were bolstered and family capacity in terms of ownership of their EI services and ability to self-advocate grew. Overall quality of EI services was positively impacted. Implications for SC training are discussed.

Keywords

home visiting components of practice Part C services professional development family collaboration and support

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