MDT Findings
Shared with Family
A
written report is required
from the MDT the same as is required for school-age
students. This must include a completed form
stating whether the child qualifies as a child
with disabilities and is eligible for free, appropriate
early intervention services; the basis for that
decision; and a listing of the MDT team members.
Recommendations for specific services are not
appropriate on this report. Such recommendations
are at the discretion of the IFSP team in cooperation
with the family. A
detailed narrative report is not required.
However, once eligibility is determined and the
family decides to pursue available early intervention
services, an IFSP (intervention) team should be
convened to begin the Pre-IFSP
Team Assessment process for developing
the IFSP. If this team prepares a summary report
it can be attached to the MDT Form/Report and
included in the mailing to referral agents and
other persons the family consents to have the
information.
If
the parents do not agree with the findings of
the MDT, they can request an independent evaluation
elsewhere in the community at the expense of the public
schools following review of the request by the proper
administration (see Rule 51: 006-07A). The public schools
must consider the results of the independent evaluation
in making recommendations for free services or during
a hearing on any conflicting outcomes. (See Rule 51:
006.07G1)
The
MDT findings must be shared with the parents and the
Services Coordinator and the decisions regarding
eligibility for early intervention services explained.
This should be done in a debriefing immediately following
the MDT evaluation, but can be done at a separate meeting
of the MDT and the family, or by an MDT/school representative
after the MDT Report is mailed to the family.
**The
parents should have opportunity to have clarification/explanation
of the MDT Report prior to the scheduling of
an IFSP meeting. Generally, the MDT findings
should not be explained in detail at the IFSP meeting.
Nor should the IFSP be developed at a meeting intended
to explain the MDT findings/report. Additional information,
member participation, and time may be required in order
to develop an effective IFSP and respect the family-centered
philosophy underlying Part C of IDEA and the Nebraska
Early Intervention Act.
Once
the MDT Report has been shared with the parents,
and the parents agree to outlining possible services
for themselves and their child, a process must begin
to collect needed information and arrange for participation
in the IFSP meeting.
If
all the necessary members and information are
in place as part of the MDT process, then
an "integrated
MDT/IFSP" meeting can be held
and effectively result in a quality IFSP. (See
IFSP Team Established
and Pre-IFSP
Team Assessments.)
| 
