Parents have rights under the Early Intervention Program that you should know. Your Early Intervention Official is responsible for making sure you know about your rights. These rights include:
* The right to say yes or no to having your child evaluated or screened and taking part in a family assessment.
* The right to say yes or no to participating in the Early Intervention Program, without risking the right to take part in the future.
* The right to say yes or no to any certain type of early intervention service without risking your right to other types of early intervention services.
* The right to keep information about your family private.
* The right to look at and change your child's written record under the Early Intervention Program.
* The right to be told by your Early Intervention Official about any possible changes in your child's evaluation or other early intervention services before any changes are made.
* The right to take part – and ask others to take part – in all meetings where decisions will be made about changes in your child's evaluation or services.
* The right to use due process procedures to settle complaints.
* The right to an explanation of how your insurance may be used to pay for early intervention services.
Part of your service coordinator's job is to explain these rights to you and make sure you understand them and help you carry them out.
Your child's records
Your child's record includes all written materials developed or used for the Early Intervention Program. Your child's record may include:
* Information gathered as part of your child's referral to the Early Intervention Official.
* Screening and evaluation reports and summaries.
* Your family assessment (if you took part in one).
* Your Individualized Family Service Plan and all documents related to the plan.
* Progress notes and other information about your child's and family's services prepared by early intervention service providers (including your service coordinator).
* Any records about complaints you may have filed.
* All other records involving your child and family.
