First Steps Listserv

Subject: Revisions to  Notice of Action form and Instructions
Source: Amanda Wogan, Supervisor, Special Education Compliance

Intended Audience: SPOEs, Service Coordinators, Providers, SICC

Date: January 30, 2006

All intake and service coordinators need to be aware that the Notice of Action form has been revised. Two separate forms; Notice of Action and Notice of Action/Consent can view and downloaded  at  http://dese.mo.gov/divspeced/FirstSteps/EISpracmanual.html .  Please take the time to review the instructions provided with these forms as they give a detailed description of when to use the Notice of Action versus the Notice of Action/Consent form.  As of February 1, 2006, please discard all old Notice of Action forms and begin using the new forms in accordance with the instructions provided.

Please note that it is no longer necessary to provide a Notice of Action and obtain prior written consent when conducting the family assessment. This assessment identifies the family’s concerns priorities, and resources and helps identify supports and services necessary to enhance the family’s capacity to meet the developmental needs of the child.  Prior to conducting the family assessment interview, the service coordinator will need to inform the family of the purpose and importance of the assessment and that this process is voluntary on the part of the family. Documentation of whether or not the family agrees to participate in the assessment is shown on the IFSP – Section 5 “Summary of family concerns, priorities and resources to enhance the development of the child.”