Indicator 1: Timely Services

Service start date on IFSP must be the date agreed upon by provider and family to start services. It should start no later than 45 days from IFSP.

Start date should only be listed on the day of the IFSP if the service will occur after IFSP has been completed.

In I-Teams data management system, the start date will be listed as day of IFSP.

Team Lead and Joint Visits must occur on or before the date listed on the IFSP.

Provider documents on contact note initial visits after IFSP. Provider follows up with support coordinator that visit has occurred timely.

If family cancels appointment or no-shows appointment, provider must document on contact note. Provider contacts the support coordinator to let them know visit has not occurred and why.

If provider cancels appointment, provider must document on contact note. Provider contacts the support coordinator to let them know visit has not occurred and why.

Support coordinator follows up with providers to confirm initial visits have occurred as written on IFSP. Support Coordinator confirms that contact note has been uploaded in Central Reach along with documentation detailing that initial visit has occurred or why it did not occur.

It is important for all EI providers to understand:

WHY providing timely services is important
HOW to provide timely services
WHAT to do if they cannot provide timely services

WHY: Providing timely services is REQUIRED by law and is the first compliance indicator. This is monitored heavily by AzEIP and the federal government.

HOW: Providers must provide their first therapy visit with a family BEFORE or ON the planned start date listed on the IFSP. Therefore, your input for the date that is placed on the IFSP is very important. LOOK at your calendar and actually plan the first visit just like you would any other appointment. This is necessary for both TL AND JV visits. Even if you have only 1 or 2 JV visits in a 6 month period, you must still provide the first service on or before the planned start date. If you do not attend an IFSP and a planned start date must be provided without your input, communicate with your SC to ensure the date listed on the IFSP is feasible.

WHAT to do if you are unable to provide timely services: DOCUMENT. The only acceptable reason for services to start AFTER the planned start date is FAMILY DELAY. If the family cancels the scheduled appointment, you MUST document this on a contact note. It is also important to use a contact note to document all attempts to contact the family, discussions with team members regarding the family, and discussions with the family.
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