Children whose family contacts the provider with request to suspend services due to extended leave will be offered the choice to reduce their IFSP frequency. Families may also choose to exit services, depending on circumstances, and reenroll at a later date. This allows the provider to maintain compliance and the family to be served appropriately.
Providers contact the family and discuss options with them and their circumstances. If an enrolled child and family or caregiver goes on extended leave, their services can be pended until the next IFSP renewal or annual. You cannot extend services or continue them in an active status beyond the IFSP end date. When the IFSP has expired, it is invalid.
For less than 3 months’ absence:
If the family has a return date and/or a plan to return to services in less than 3 months, the provider will conduct an IFSP meeting to reduce services with the family to an achievable frequency, but will set it no less than 1x per quarter.
For more than 3 months’ absence:
If the family plans to be gone longer than a quarter, it's best to exit the child and then re-enroll when they return, if appropriate. This will help ensure that we complete the COS ratings if that child does not come back to PIC services. The family should be informed they will be exited and can restart services if needed and desired, and the child is under age three, and continues to qualify. If the child was evaluated less than 6 months prior, the provider may use that evaluation to continue eligibility upon their return.
- When informed that the family will be out of town for an extended period, conduct an IFSP meeting and provide a PWN to reduce the services to no less than quarterly
- If the family has a return date, and an intention to return, discuss with the family options and set a date for the next appt or phone call.
- The provider and family will agree upon contact means, and date for follow-up.
- If the family is not sure when they will return within 90 days or the time is more than a quarter, let the family know that we will exit.
- If exiting, conduct an IFSP meeting with a PWN to exit.
- The family can re-refer with a call at any time up to age three.