This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Summers, J. A. Articles by Stowitschek, J. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Policy and Management Supports for Effective Service Integration in Early Head Start and Part C Programs

University of Kansas

Tammy Steeples

University of Kansas

Carla Peterson

lowa State University

Lisa Naig

lowa State University

Susan McBride

lowa State University

Shavaun Wall

Catholic University of America

Harriet Liebow

Catholic University of America

Mark Swanson

University of Arkansas

Joseph Stowitschek

University of Washington

Effective service integration between Part C programs for infants and toddlers with disabilities and Early Head Start (EHS) offers opportunities to serve children with disabilities in natural environments and to provide a full range of comprehensive services for low income families. This study was a qualitative inquiry in five states and six local communities to learn how state and local administrators, direct care providers, and parents perceive the process of service integration in Part C and EHS. Through open-ended interviews, respondents shared perceptions of collaboration between the two programs at referral and intake, evaluation and individualized planning, service delivery, and transition out of the programs. Researchers sorted narrative material into categories through both thematic analysis and computerized software. Respondents perceive effective service integration to include administrative structures (e.g., interagency agreements, personnel policies), and interpersonal relationships among the direct providers and families involved. Parents emphasized structural factors such as a stable staff with minimal turnover, and interpersonal factors such as a comfortable and harmonious atmosphere among themselves and staff from the two programs. Staff stressed informal and open channels of communication, as well as clear and understandable procedures. Administrators highlighted joint trainings, policies coordinating schedules for evaluation and planning, and mutual respect for each other's programs. Research, policy, and practice implications of the identified factors are discussed.

Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, Vol. 21, No. 1, 16-30 (2001)
DOI: 10.1177/027112140102100102


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				C. J. Dunst and M. B. Bruder Early Intervention Service Coordination Models and Service Coordinator Practices Journal of Early Intervention, April 1, 2006; 28(3): 155 - 165. [Abstract] [PDF]

				S. Etscheidt Least Restrictive and Natural Environments for Young Children With Disabilities: A Legal Analysis of Issues Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, January 1, 2006; 26(3): 167 - 178. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. B. Bruder, G. L. Harbin, K. Whitbread, M. Conn-Powers, R. Roberts, C. J. Dunst, M. Van Buren, C. Mazzarella, and G. Gabbard Establishing Outcomes for Service Coordination: A Step Toward Evidence-Based Practice Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, January 1, 2005; 25(3): 177 - 188. [Abstract] [PDF]

				S. M. Wall, N. E. Taylor, H. Liebow, C. A. Sabatino, L. M. Mayer, M. Z. Farber, and E. M. Timberlake Early Head Start and Access to Early Intervention Services: A Qualitative Investigation Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, January 1, 2005; 25(4): 218 - 231. [Abstract] [PDF]

				C. A. Peterson, S. Wall, H. A. Raikes, E. E. Kisker, M. E. Swanson, J. Jerald, J. B. Atwater, and Wei Qiao Early Head Start: Identifying and Serving Children with Disabilities Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, January 1, 2004; 24(2): 76 - 88. [Abstract] [PDF]

				C. L. Salisbury, W. Crawford, D. Marlowe, and P. Husband Integrating Education and Human Service Plans: The Interagency Planning and Support Project Journal of Early Intervention, October 1, 2003; 26(1): 59 - 75. [Abstract] [PDF]