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guide to lanterman regional center for early start families getting a good start

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guide to lanterman regional center for early start families table of contents about frank d lanterman regional center 2 ourmissionis 2 ourvisionis 2 ourgoalforearlyinterventionis 2 family centered planning .13 theindividualizedfamilyserviceplanifsp .13 preparingfortheifspmeeting .13 v faq:whyisitimportantformyservice coordinatortovisitmeinmyhome .13 whathappensatanifspmeeting 14 v faq:whyaremychild sservicesand supportsdifferentfromthosereceived byotherchildren 14 implementingtheifsp 14 v examplesofifspoutcomesandcriteria 15 monitoringyourchild sprogress 15 v faq:whatisrequiredtomaintain activestatus 15 about the guide to lanterman regional center for early start families 2 lanterman sservicecommitment 3 about early start services 4 v examplesofearlystartservices 4 v excerptfromthecalifornia earlyinterventionservicesactceisa 5 abriefhistoryofearlyintervention 5 theroleoftheregionalcenter 6 regionalcenterresponsibilityfor purchasingservices 6 fundingrequirementsforearlystartservices 7 v naturalenvironments:whatarethey 7 v naturalsupports:whatarethey 7 v defininggenericservices 7 transitioning from early start at age 3 16 resolving disagreements about early start services and supports 18 earlystartmediationconferencerequest 18 earlystartdueprocesshearing 18 earlystartstatecomplaintprocess 18 transitionplanningmeetingwiththeschooldistrict 16 continuingregionalcentereligibility 16 eligibilityforschoolservices .17 individualizededucationprogramiepmeeting .17 working together in partnership 8 partneringwithyourservicecoordinator 8 v faq canachildlosehisorher eligibilityforservices 8 servicesmovesoutoflanterman sarea 8 v faq:whathappensifthechildreceiving contactingyourservicecoordinator 9 v findinghelpinanurgentsituation 9 v faq:whatshouldidoifidonotknowthe nameofmychild sservicecoordinator 9 servicecoordinators responsibilities inthepartnership 10 vkochlyoungresourcecenter 10 families responsibilitiesinthepartnership 11 vbepreparedandactivelyparticipate 11 vfaq:whatshouldiincludeinmy lantermanregionalcenterhomefile 11 vfindsupportwithinthelanterman community .12 vtipsforformingasuccessful family-professionalpartnership .12 families rights and responsibilities in early start 19 receiving quality and effective services and supports 20 v faq:whatcanidotoensurethe qualityoftheservicesbeingprovided tomychild 20 faq­frequentlyaskedquestion guide to lanterman regional center for early start families

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our mission is to enable people with developmental disabilities to live purposeful lives as active members of their communities about frank d lanterman regional center frankd.lantermanregionalcenterisoneof21regionalcentersinthe stateofcaliforniathattogetherserveover240,000individualswith,orat riskfor,developmentaldelaysordisabilitiesandtheirfamilies.established in1966asoneofthefirsttworegionalcenters,lantermanisaprivatenonprofitcorporationthatoperatesundercontractwiththestateofcalifornia throughthedepartmentofdevelopmentalservicesdds itisgovernedby acommunity-basedboardofdirectorsthatiscomprisedofindividualswith developmentaldisabilities,familymembersandcommunityleaders thecenterservesapproximately8,000childrenandadults,ofwhommore than1,200areundertheageof3.ourserviceareaincludeshollywoodwilshire,centrallosangeles,glendale,burbank,lacañadaflintridge lacrescentaandpasadena.workinginpartnershipwithourfamilies,service providersandcommunityorganizations,weprovideservicesandsupports thataddresseachchild suniquestrengthsandneedswithagoalofachieving greaterself-relianceandindependence our vision is a world where every person is respected and embraced our goal for early intervention is to prevent or lessen developmental delay in infants and toddlers through support education and access to resources about the guide to lanterman regional center for early start families thisguideiswrittenforparentsofyoungchildren,agesbirthto3years whoarereceivingearlystartservicesthroughlantermanregionalcenter betweennowandyourchild s3rdbirthday,youwilltakeajourneyfilled withchoicesandchallenges,aswellassuccesses.thisguideisintendedto helpyoucreateamoreeffectivepartnershipwiththeregionalcenterasyou navigatethisjourney.theguidecoverssevenimportanttopics v earlystartservices v workinginpartnershipwiththeregionalcenter v familycenteredplanninganditsimplementation v transitioningoutofearlystartservicesatage3 v resolvingdisagreementsaboutservicesandsupports v families legalrightsandresponsibilities v receivingeffectiveandappropriateservicesandsupports throughoutthesepages,youwillalsofindanswerstofrequentlyasked questionsfaqsandtipsfromexperiencedparentsandservicecoordinators thatcanmakeyouamoreeffectivepartner frank d lanterman regional center

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lanterman s service commitment in all of our interactions with families we are committed to · treat you with courtesy and respect and listen · explain the regional center service delivery system attentively to your concerns ­ with understanding and without judgment · be sensitive to and acknowledge cultural differences · encourage you to make your own informed choices as well as what lanterman s role and relationships are with the many other agencies and service delivery systems so that it makes sense and you feel able to access these different resources · share all the information we have about and respect and support your decisions · respond to requests as quickly as possible and explain any delays · respond promptly and constructively to your the available service options offering our recommendations in a constructive manner we will be honest about what we are and are not able to do if we cannot help you we will try to find someone who can · respect your right to privacy and hold in confidence concerns if you feel we have not been responsive or have caused you to be dissatisfied with lanterman we will forward your complaint to the appropriate authority to respond quickly and constructively to your concerns · come to meetings and appointments promptly all information obtained in the course of professional service · solicit your ideas and suggestions about how we can improve our services · stay current in our field and maintain professional prepared with the necessary information standards guide to lanterman regional center for early start families

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examples of early start services the services received through early start are based on the child s assessed developmental needs and the family s concerns and priorities as determined by each child s individualized family service plan early start services may include · assistive technology · audiology · family training counseling and home visits · health services · medical services for diagnostic evaluation purposes only · nursing services · nutrition services · occupational therapy · physical therapy · psychological services · respite services when necessary for the child s parents to access early start trainings or workshops · service coordination · social work services · special instruction · speech and language services · vision services about early start services theregionalcenter searlystartprogramserveschildrenfrombirthto3who arebornwith,oratriskfor,developmentaldelayordisability.weknowthatthe earlieraninfantortoddlerwithspecialneedsreceivesappropriateservices,the moresuccessfulwecanbeinminimizingorpreventingfuturedisabilities.for thisreason,ourearlyinterventionunitworkswithfamiliestoaccessservicesand supportsthathelpidentifyandtreatdevelopmentalconcernsasearlyaspossiblein thelifeofthechild.servicesfocusonthechild sdevelopmentinfiveareas v cognitive­abilitytothinkandlearn v physical­motor,includingvisionand/orhearing v communication­abilitytounderstand,talk v socialandemotional­abilitytorelatetoothers v adaptive­abilitytoeat,dressandaccomplishotherself-helptasks havingachildwithspecialneedsoftenrequiresthefamilytodevoteextratime energyorresourcestothechild scare,andthiscanbechallengingforboth parentsandsiblings.atthesametime,theprimaryresponsibilityforaninfant s ortoddler sdevelopmentandwell-beingrestswiththefamily.forthesereasons servicesprovidedbytheregionalcenterarefamilycentered,meaningthey addresstheneedsofthechildwithinthecontextofthefamilywiththeintentof enhancingthefamily scapacitytoaddresstheirchild sspecialneeds frank d lanterman regional center

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a brief history of early intervention in1986,thefederalgovernmentenactedtheearlyinterventionprogramfor infantsandtoddlerswithdisabilitiesundertheindividualswithdisabilities educationact,partcidea;20;u.s.c section1431etseq thislegislation wasintendedtoassiststatesinimplementingacomprehensiveprogramofearly interventionservicesforinfantsandtoddlerswithdevelopmentaldelaysor disabilities.theactsetoutspecificrequirementsthatstateearlyintervention programswereobligatedtomeetinreturnforfederaldollarsthatwould partiallyfundtheseprograms.theobjectivesdefinedintheactwereto v enhancethedevelopmentofinfantsandtoddlerswithdisabilities v reduceeducationalcostsbyminimizingtheneedforspecialeducation excerpt from the california early intervention services act ceisa section 900 of the california early intervention services act states the family is the constant in the child s life while the service system and personnel within those systems fluctuate because the primary responsibility of an infant s or toddler s well-being rests with the family services should support and enhance the family s capability to meet the special developmental needs of their infant or toddler with disabilities the california early intervention services act is available online at www.dds.ca.gov printed copies of the act are available for borrowing from lanterman s kochlyoung resource center throughearlyintervention living;and v minimizethelikelihoodofinstitutionalizationandmaximizeindependent v enhancethecapacityoffamiliestomeettheirchild sneeds in1993,inresponsetothefederallegislation,thecalifornialegislaturepassed thecaliforniaearlyinterventionservicesactceisa;14g.c.section95000 etseq thedepartmentofdevelopmentalservicesddswasdesignated astheleadagencytocollaboratewithotherstateagencies,includingthe departmentofeducation,inthedevelopmentandimplementationofa statewideearlyinterventionservicessystem,referredtoascaliforniaearlystart guide to lanterman regional center for early start families

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the role of the regional center ceisagaveregionalcenterstheprimaryresponsibilityfor implementingtheearlyinterventionprogram.actingasthe centralcoordinatingagencyforalargeandcomplexnetwork ofcommunityservicesandsupports,regionalcentersare chargedwiththefollowingresponsibilities v outreachactivitiestoidentifyyoungchildrenwhomay regional center responsibility for purchasing services becauseofourresponsibilitytobecarefulstewardsofpublic funds,theregionalcenterworkswithfamiliestoinvestigateall availablenaturalandgenericoptions,includingtheuseofprivate insurance,whentheseoptionscanmeetthechild sneeds ifoneormoreofthedesiredoutcomesinachild sifspcannot beachievedusingnaturalsupportsorgenericservices,the regionalcentermaypurchasetheserviceorsupportfroma communityserviceprovider.ifthefundingisapproved,wesend theproviderawrittenauthorizationtoprovidetheservice.the centeronlyreimbursesprovidersforservicesthatareincluded intheifspandprovidedafteranauthorizationisreceived continuationoffundingforaservicepurchasedbythe regionalcentermayonlybeauthorizedifthereisevidencethat theserviceishelpingachieveormaintainthedesiredoutcomes outlinedintheifsp.inallcases,beforefundingisinitiatedor continued,thefamilymustindicateagreementbysigningthe ifsporanifspamendment allpurchasesmadebytheregionalcentermustbeconsistent withourservicestandards,whichareapprovedbyourboardof directorsandthedepartmentofdevelopmentalservices.in extraordinarycircumstances,thecentermaymakeapurchase thatisan exception toaservicestandard.arequestforan exceptionmustbereviewedandapprovedbythecenter s executivedirectororhisorherdesignee lanterman s service standards can be viewed on our web site at www.lanterman.org needearlyinterventionservices interventionservices v assessmentandevaluationtodetermineeligibilityforearly v developmentofanindividualizedfamilyserviceplan ifsp throughafamilycenteredplanningprocess v coordinationofservicesandsupportstohelpyoung childrenandtheirfamiliesachievethedesiredoutcomes establishedforthechild v assistanceinfindingandusingcommunityand otherresources v supportforandfacilitationoftheinclusionofyoung childrenwithdisabilitieswiththeirnon-disabledpeers supportsthatareflexible,individualizedandpromote communityintegration v developmentofinnovativeandcost-effectiveservicesand v assuranceofthequalityandeffectivenessofservicesand supportsprovidedtoyoungchildrenandtheirfamilies v information,referralandfamilysupport frank d lanterman regional center

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funding requirements for early start services incarryingouttheirresponsibilities,regionalcentersarealsorequiredtobe responsiblestewardsofthepublicfunds.morespecifically,regionalcenters arerequiredto v livewithinourbudgeteachyear v ensurethattheregionalcenterdoesnotpayforservicesandsupports natural environments what are they ceisa requires regional centers to ensure that to the maximum extent possible early intervention services are provided in the natural environment and include the use of natural supports and generic community resources natural environments are settings that are typical for other children of the same age who do not have developmental delays or disabilities these would include the family home a babysitter s home or a community setting such as a local preschool a neighborhood play group or a public park thatshouldbeprovidedbyotheragencies,suchaslocalschooldistricts medi-cal,californiachildren sservices,socialsecurityandprivate healthinsurance naturalsupports v helpfamiliesgainaccesstotypicalcommunityresourcesanddevelop v secureservicesonlyfromqualifiedserviceproviders v locateordevelopinnovativeandcost-effectivewaystoachievedesired outcomesidentifiedintheifsp v continuepurchasingservicesonlywherethereisbothreasonable progressinachievingtheifspoutcomesandagreementbetweenthe familyandtheregionalcenterthattheservicesshouldbecontinued genericservicesandsupports,ortypicalcommunityresourcesdonot meetthechild sneedsasspecifiedinhisorherifsp inmeetingtheneedsofachild,theregionalcenterisrequiredto purchasethelesscostlyalternative v developandpurchasespecializedservicesonlyifnaturalenvironments v iftwoservicesorsupportsareavailableandwouldbeequallyeffective natural supports what are they excerpt from the department of developmental services publication how to develop natural supports defining generic services there are many public agencies that are required by law to provide services to children with or at risk for developmental delays or disabilities these include county mental health agencies medi-cal and california children s services we refer to these agencies as generic agencies and to the services and supports they provide as generic services as defined in the lanterman developmental disabilities services act section of the welfare and institution code part e natural supports means personal associations and relationships typically developed in the community that enhance the quality and security of life for people including but not limited to family relationships friendships reflecting the diversity of the neighborhood and the community what does natural supports really mean think about all the people in your life ­ friends family co-workers ­ who are important to you and on whom you depend relationships with these people are your natural supports the entire publication can be accessed on the department of developmental services web site at www.dds.ca.gov.

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working together in partnership thelantermancommunityincludesourclientsandtheirfamilies serviceproviders,staffandthebroadercommunityinourgeographic area,includingotherlocalandstateagencies.inorderforthispartnership tobesuccessful,allcommunitymembersmustactivelyparticipateand workcollaboratively,whilerespectingindividualrolesandcontributions astheprimarysourceofcareandsupportforthechildwithadisability thefamilyoccupiesaleadershiproleinthispartnership faqs can a child lose his or her eligibility for services ifachildisfoundtobeeligibleforearlystart services,lantermanwillcontinuetoprovidehim orherwithservicesaccordingtoassessedneeduntil theageof3.atage3,twodecisionsaremade · whetherthechildwillcontinuetobeeligiblefor regionalcenterservices,and · whetherthechildwillbecomeeligibleforspecial educationservicesthroughtheschooldistrict ineithercase,earlystartservicesareterminatedand thechildgraduatesfromtheprogram byage3,withthehelpofearlystartservices nearly70percentofthechildrenservedby lantermanregionalcenterwillhave caughtup developmentallytothepointthattheyarenolonger eligibleforcontinuingregionalcenterservices partnering with your service coordinator yourprimarypartnerattheregionalcenterisyourservice coordinator.heorsheisaprofessionalwithexperienceintheareas ofchilddevelopmentanddevelopmentaldisabilities,andknowledge aboutservices,supportsandotherresources theregionalcenterassignsservicecoordinatorstofamiliesatthetime ofintake.wheneverpossible,servicecoordinatorsarematchedwith familiesbasedonprimarylanguageneeds.whileeveryeffortismade toensurecontinuityforfamilieswiththeirassignedservicecoordinator allregionalcenterfamiliesexperienceanoccasionalchangeinservice coordinatorassociatedwithspecifictransitionsorevents v ifyourservicecoordinatorleaveslantermanortakesanew positionwithinthecenteryouwillbeassignedanewservice coordinator what happens if the child receiving services moves out of lanterman s area ifyourfamilymovesfromlanterman sservice areatoanotherlocationincalifornia,services andsupportswillbeprovidedtoyourchildbythe regionalcenterthatservesyournewgeographic area.lantermanwilltransferyourchild srecords tothenewregionalcenter.accordingtothe lantermanact whenevera[client]transfersfrom oneregionalcentercatchmentareatoanother,the levelandtypesofservicesandsupportsspecified inthe[client sifsp]shallbeauthorizedand secured,ifavailable,pendingthedevelopmentof anew[ifsp]forthe[client iftheseservicesand supportsdonotexist,theregionalcentershall conveneameetingtodevelopanew[ifsp]within 30days.priortoapprovalofthenew[ifsp the regionalcentershallprovidealternativeservices andsupportsthatbestmeettheindividualprogram planobjectivesintheleastrestrictivesetting [section4643.5c ifyourfamilymovesoutofcalifornia,yourchild s servicecoordinatorandthekochlyoungresource centercanhelpyoucontacttheappropriate developmentalservicesagencyandlocaterelated resourcesinthenewstate.withyourwritten consent,theregionalcentercanalsotransferyour child srecordstothatstate sagency v eachyear,youwillbegivenanopportunitytoformallyevaluate yourservicecoordinator sperformanceandwillbeaskedwhether youwishtocontinueworkingwithhimorherforthecomingyear servicesafterage3,atransitionwilloccurfromearlyintervention toaservicecoordinatorinoneofourschool-ageunits v finally,ifyourchildcontinuestobeeligibleforregionalcenter ifyoubecomedissatisfiedwithyourservicecoordinatoratanytime youmaydiscussyourconcernswiththeearlyinterventionmanager heorshemayhelpyouresolveyourconcernsormayassigna differentservicecoordinatortoyourchild.yourservicecoordinator alsohastherighttorequestachange duringtimesoftransition,someonewillalwaysbeavailabletohelp ensurethatyourchild sserviceneedsaremetuntilthenewservice coordinatorisassigned.ifyouneedhelpduringthistime,calltheunit thatservesyourchildandasktospeaktothe officeroftheday frank d lanterman regional center

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contacting your service coordinator yourservicecoordinatorcanbecontactedbytelephone,e-mail andregularmail.sinceservicecoordinatorsspendmuchof theirtimeoutoftheofficemeetingwithclientsandfamilies theychecktheirvoicemailmessagesregularly.thismeansthat voicemailisaveryeffectivewaytocommunicatewithyour servicecoordinator,sowhenyoucallbesuretoleaveamessage yourmessageshouldinclude v yourfullname v thefullnameofyourchild v aphonenumberwheretheservicecoordinatorcan afterbusinesshours theregionalcentermaintainsanemergencyresponsesystem todealwithsituationsthatariseoutsideofnormalbusiness hoursandmustbedealtwithimmediately.theregionalcenter hasrarelyencounteredemergencysituationswithourearly startfamilies,but,ifanemergencyshouldariseandyoumust havetheassistanceoftheregionalcenterimmediately,dothe following 1 calllanterman smainphonenumberat213.383.1300and followtheinstructionsfortheemergencyresponsesystem 2 leaveavoicemailmessage,asinstructed,andtheindividual whois on-call willbenotifiedandwillcallyouback withinonehour theemergencyon-callresponsibilityisrotatedamongthe regionalcenter sleadershipstaff,soaknowledgeableregional centerrepresentativeisalwaysavailable24hoursaday,7days aweek reachyou v goodtimestocall v thereasonforyourcall servicecoordinatorsmakeeveryefforttoreturncallsbythe endofthenextbusinessday.iftheyarenotabletoreturncalls withinthistimeperiod,forreasonssuchasillnessorvacation theywillleaveinstructionsontheiroutgoingmessageabout whomyoushouldcontactintheirabsence ifyouwishtohaveaface-to-facemeetingwithyourservice coordinator,itisbesttoscheduleanappointmentwellinadvance faq what should i do if i do not know the name of my child s service coordinator ifyoudonotknowthenameofyourchild sservice coordinator,calltheregionalcenterat213.383.1300and asktheoperatortotransferyoutothesecretaryfortheearly interventionunit.toprotectyourprivacyaswellasthe privacyofallofourclientsandfamilies,thepersonwho answersthephonemayaskyouquestionstoconfirmyour identity finding help in an urgent situation duringbusinesshours ifanurgentsituationarisesduringregularbusinesshours mondaytofridayfrom8a.m.to5p.m andyouareunable todirectlycontactyourservicecoordinator,press 0 when yougettheservicecoordinator svoicemailandasktospeakto theofficeroftheday.heorshecanhelpyoudealwithurgent mattersthatneedsame-dayattention guide to lanterman regional center for early start families 9

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service coordinators responsibilities in the partnership servicecoordinationinvolveshelpingfamilies v accessinformationaboutservicesandsupports v makedecisionsaboutdesiredoutcomes v developplansforachievingtheseoutcomes v identifyandaccessservicesandsupportsnecessarytoachieve anoverarchingresponsibilityoflanterman sservice coordinatorsistoidentifyandaccessservicesthatarecosteffectiveandareprovidedinnaturalenvironmentsinthe community throughoutyourrelationshipwithyourservicecoordinator,he orshewillprovideyourfamilywithsupportby v listeningtoyourconcerns,respectingyouropinions,and discussingoptionsandchoicesopenlyandfrankly asmedi-calandcaliforniachildren sservices inthecommunity desiredoutcomes;and v advocatingonyourbehalfwithagenciesandprograms,such v consultingonyourbehalfwithspecialistsatlantermanand v assistingintimesofcrisis v investigatingproblems,complaintsandsituationsof v periodicallyevaluatetheirchild sprogressandtheir satisfactionwiththeservicesandsupports potentialabuse yourservicecoordinatorwillalsohelpyoubecomebetter informedanddevelopnewskillsbyintroducingyoutothe kochlyoungresourcecenterandkeepingyouinformedabout educationalandskilldevelopmentopportunitiesprovidedby theregionalcenterandothercommunityorganizations asyourchildapproachesage3,yourservicecoordinatorwill alsohelpyouprepareforyourchild stransitionfromearlystart kochlyoung resource center the kochlyoung resource center provides information education and support for people with developmental disabilities families of children with special needs lanterman staff professionals and the community the resource center offers a variety of resources and services including · help desk and helpline 00 x 00 or kyrc@lanterman.org that link people to community resources provide information and referral and do research for unique needs · a multimedia multilingual library collection with thousands of disability-related materials that is searchable online at http library.lanterman.org · a network of care that includes information on generic resources such as prevention and early intervention resources including head start social and recreational programs and health-related organizations and programs www.lanterman.networkofcare.org · support groups listed by age disability geographic location and language · a peer support partner program that offers one-toone family support from trained and experienced family members www.lanterman.org/psm · education and training opportunities and · an assistive technology project that offers assistive technology evaluations individual training workshops and equipment loans and provides related information 0 frank d lanterman regional center

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faq what should i include in my lanterman regional center home file · basicinformationaboutyourchild,suchasspecialneeds ormedicalconditions · alistofmedicationsbeingtakenbyyourchildand authorizedbythephysician.includethemedication name,dosage,timeofdaytaken,andtheprescription numberandpharmacy · alistwithcontactinformationofallthepeople agencies,programsandorganizationsservingyourchild · copiesofreportsofindependentassessmentsfrom physicians,therapistsandotherserviceproviders · copiesofallwrittencommunicationstoandfrom professionalsworkingwithyourchild · yournotesaboutmeetingsorphoneconversationswith regionalcenterstaff,physiciansandotherprofessionals workingwithyourchild.includethenameoftheperson withwhomyouspokeormetandthedate · acopyofthecurrentifsp itishelpfultodividerecordsintocategories,suchashealth andifsp,andorganizethembydatewiththemostrecent ontop families responsibilities in the partnership familieswhostrivetobeactiveandinformedparticipantswith lantermanarebetterabletoidentifyandaccesstheresources necessaryfortheirchildtodeveloptohisorherfullpotential we veallheardthatknowledgeisakeytosuccess,andhaving accurate,timelyinformationhelpsfamiliesmakebetterchoices anddecisions.therearemanywaysforfamiliestobecome betterinformed v gettoknowthekochlyoungresourcecenterand useitoften v participateintrainingopportunitiesandeducational programsprovidedbylantermanandothercommunity organizations andtellthemaboutyours v networkwithotherfamilies,learnabouttheirexperiences v keepup-to-dateaboutthelantermancommunity andwhat s goingon byvisitingourwebsite www.lanterman.org.thereyoucanreadournewsletter viewpoint www.lanterman.org/index.php/viewpoint findcommunityresourcesonthenetworkofcare www.lanterman.networkofcare.org andlearnabout newlegislationandotherchangesthatmayaffectregional centersandthedevelopmentalservicessystem be prepared and actively participate ceisagivesparentstheleadershiproleinplanningfortheir child.responsibilitiesofthatroleinclude v maintaininganeffectiveworkingrelationshipwithyour servicecoordinatorbymaintainingopencommunication askingquestionswhensomethingisnotclear,sharing yourneedsandconcerns,andsharingbothgoodandbad experiencesthatyouhavehadwithlantermanandwith serviceproviders v preparingformeetingsbyresearchingoptionsand collectinginformation v thinkingaboutgoals,plans,andservicesandsupportsthat youwouldliketodiscussatthemeeting v partneringwiththeprofessionalsprovidingservicesand learningyourroleinhelpingyourchildbuildskillsathome andinthecommunity v keepingaccuraterecordsandfollowingupontheitemsfor whichyouhaveresponsibility v understandingthebenefitsandoutcomesthatcomewith thechoicesanddecisionsyoumake guide to lanterman regional center for early start families

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tips for forming a successful familyprofessional partnership · sign and return ifsp amendments promptly your signature on these documents is necessary for the funding authorization process for the services and supports required by changes to the ifsp · plan ahead to allow time for funding the funding process for purchased services takes time so give your service coordinator ample time to request such services service coordinators must follow an approval process and adhere to specific funding criteria on average the approval process takes about two weeks · request copies of all progress reports and evaluations from anyone working with your child whether or not the regional center is funding the service or support keep a copy of all reports for your file and give a copy to your service coordinator for the regional center file reports may be important when a request is made to renew funding · keep your service coordinator up to date about what s going on with your family ­ about things such as hospitalizations or if you have a family crisis or emergency or major change · if you find a resource or training opportunity that you believe may benefit you or your child discuss it with your service coordinator find support within the lanterman community familieshavetoldusovertheyearsthatoneofthemostimportantthingsthey learnattheregionalcenteristhattheyarenotalone­thatotherparentsof childrenwithspecialneedssharetheirexperiencesandfeelings.herearesome thingsthatparentshavetoldusthathavebeenparticularlyhelpfultothem v seekoutpeersupportfromotherfamilieswhohave beenthere byjoining asupportgrouporrequestingapeersupportpartner religiousorganizations,community child v identifyandmakeuseofyourownnaturalsupportsystem­family,friends v keepyourexpectationshighandsetchallenging,yetrealistic,goalsforyour frank d lanterman regional center

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family centered planning atitscore,developingandimplementingafamilycenteredplan isaboutprovidingservicesandsupportsthatareindividualized andflexibleovertime,arebuiltonstrengthsandneedsof thechildandthefamily,reflectprioritiesandconcernsofthe family,andrespectthefamily spreferencesandchoices.family centeredplanningisanapproachtodetermining,planningfor andworkingtowardthepreferredfutureofachild.itprovidesa frameworkformakingdecisionsandtakesintoaccountavariety offactorsthataffectachild slife preparing for the ifsp meeting effectiveplanningrequiresyourservicecoordinatortotakethe timetolearnwhatisimportanttoyourfamilyandtoensure thatanyissuesofhealthandsafetyarecarefullyconsidered.in preparationfortheifspmeeting,yourservicecoordinatorwill spendtimegettingtoknowyourfamily suniquesituationby reviewingyourchild srecord,assessmentsandrecommendations fromserviceproviders,andprogressreports.heorshewill alsobegindevelopmentofthehealthstatusreviewandifsp documentationthatwillbecompletedatthemeeting you,too,shouldprepareforthismeetingbythinkingaboutyour child sstrengthsandneeds,yourconcernsandthehopesanddreams the individualized family service youhaveforhimorher.identifytheknowledgeandstrengthsthat plan ifsp youpossessthatmayhelpyourchildtakestepstowardachieving familycenteredplanningisusedtodevelopanindividualized desiredoutcomes.alsothinkaboutwhattypesoftrainingor familyserviceplanifspforeverychildbirthto3yearsofage additionalknowledgeyoumayneedtohelpsupportyourchild,as whoreceivesearlystartservicesfromlanterman.achild sinitial wellaswhatprofessionalservicesorsupportsyourchildmayneedto ifspiscompletedwithin45calendardaysofthetimethefamily achievedesiredoutcomes.additionally,youshouldbringwithyou firstcontactstheregionalcenter.theplanisdevelopedbya informationaboutpersonal,financialandotherresources,suchas planningteamincludingthefamilyandtheservicecoordinator privateinsurance,thatareavailabletoyouandyourchild andmayincludeotherpeoplewhoprovidethechildorfamily withsupportandservices theifspidentifiesanddocumentsthefamily sdesiredoutcomes andstatesclearlyhowtheteamwillworktowardachievingthese outcomesandhowanyhealthorsafetyissueswillbeaddressed itincludesastatementoftheinfant sortoddler spresentlevels ofphysicaldevelopment,includingvision,hearingandhealth status;andcognitive,communication,social,emotionaland adaptivedevelopment.theifspalsoincludes v astatementofthefamily sconcerns,prioritiesandresources faq why is it important for my service coordinator to visit me in my home manyoftheissuesdiscussedatameetingbetweena familyandservicecoordinatorarepersonalandprivate anditisdifficulttomaintainadesiredlevelofprivacyand confidentialitywhenthesemattersarediscussedinapublic setting,suchasacoffeeshoporrestaurant.inaddition,it isessentialforservicecoordinatorstobefamiliarwitha child shomesituationsotheycanmaketheappropriate recommendations,especiallyinregardstoin-homesupports thebetteryourservicecoordinatorknowsyourfamily,the betterheorshewillbeabletosupportyou relatedtomeetingthespecialdevelopmentalneedsof theirchild thechild v astatementofthemajoroutcomestobeachievedfor v ascheduleofallservicesandsupports,includingthe typeandamountofservicesandsupports,whowill providethem,whethertheywillbeprovidedinnatural environments,andanexplanationifaserviceisnotprovided inanaturalenvironment towhichprogressisbeingmadeandwhetherchangestothe planarenecessary ofearlystartatage3 v criteria,proceduresandtimelinesfordeterminingthedegree v stepstobetakentoensurethechild ssmoothtransitionout guide to lanterman regional center for early start families

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