The Family Support Specialist (FSS) is responsible for working in a home-based intervention program with families of children with developmental delays or disabilities. The primary role of the FSS is to develop a strong relationship with your family in order to provide service coordination, support, and training to assist in meeting the needs of your child, and enhancing your role as the primary influence on your child’s education and development. Their job includes working with families in identifying and achieving goals; promoting positive parent-child relationships and interactions; and providing child development education.

FSS’ have a bachelors in a related field and oftentimes have a variety of background experiences working with children and families in different capacities. When an FSS begins work at Family Outreach, they will undergo several weeks of orientation, several months of shadowing their peers and mentor and participate in ongoing training and continuing education to increase their knowledge. All FSS’ must receive their Primary and Comprehensive Certifications through the ECFSD Montana Milestone program. When you enter services at Family Outreach, you will receive a welcome letter introducing you to your FSS.

Building strong partnerships with families is essential to Family Outreach’s Early Intervention services. We understand that finding the right fit for your family is important. If, for any reason, you feel you would benefit from working with a different Family Support Specialist, and would like to consider other possibilities, you can contact the Early Intervention Program Manager at 406-587-2477.

Developmental screenings are a more in depth way to monitor a child’s development. Our staff are trained to administer developmental assessments and screeners to identify what developmental stage a child is at in the areas of physical, cognitive, adaptive, social-emotional and communication skills and identify areas of potential concern. Conducting these assessments usually takes anywhere between 15 to 40 minutes.

Yes, 2 before 2! Screenings should be done early and often in the first 5 years of a child’s life. We recommend striving for 2 developmental screenings before the age of two, scheduled at least 6 months apart. If the results of your child’s screening indicate that your child may be eligible, we will provide you with additional information on how our services can support your family. The decision to pursue services is ultimately up to you. Additionally, our services are voluntary so you can choose to decline, or exit services at any time. If desired, our FSCs will also work with you to schedule a future follow-up call or appointment to check-back in at a later date.

Yes! Under IDEA, parents have the right to review and amend their child’s records. Parents may ask to inspect and review their child’s record at any time. After reviewing the file, parents may ask to make changes if they think anything is incorrect or to add information if they think the record is incomplete. If the local program disagrees with a request to change the child’s records, a parent may request a hearing to challenge the decision. Parents may receive a free copy of their child’s record.

If you wish to release your child’s records to another provider you will fill out a release of information form to consent to the disclosure and exchange of information. Please contact the Early Intervention Service Manager to begin the process.

Family Outreach retains a child’s Early Intervention records for three years from the date the child exits a program (Part C, Family Education and Support, etc.). If a child exits Part C and continues with Family Education and Support services, the retention period for the Part C records remains three years from the Part C exit date. We encourage families to keep copies of their child’s records for future verification purposes.

Early Intervention services include many terms and acronyms for different aspects of the service. Some notable examples include:

• DD Eligibility – Refers to the eligibility criteria for the Developmental Disability Program
• DDP – Developmental Disability Program
• FES – Family Education and Support
• FSC – Family Support Coordinator; professionals who locate families for Early Intervention services and perform eligibility evaluations.
• FSS – Family Support Specialist; professionals who support families as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• IFSP – Individualized Family Service Plan
• Part B – The continuation of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act provisions in school districts, education co-ops, etc.
• Part C – Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; concerns developmental interventions for children from birth through age three.
• PT/OT – Physical Therapy / Occupational Therapy
• SCP – Service Coordination Plan, part of Family Education and Support services; developed to direct the provision of supports and services to the child based upon the assessed and prioritized needs of the child and family.

Family Outreach can use Federal and State funding received through the ECSFD Montana Milestone’s Part C of IDEA services to provide families of eligible children between birth and 36 months with financial assistance for services determined necessary to support the developmental needs of your child. With the support of the child’s multidisciplinary team, the following entitlement service may be offered:

• Assistive Technology and Devices
• Audiology Services
• Family Training, Counseling and Home-Visiting
• Health Services
• Medical Services (diagnostic & evaluation only)
• Nursing Services
• Nutrition Services
• Occupational Therapy
• Physical Therapy
• Psychological Services
• Service Coordination Services
• Sign Language and Language Services
• Social Work Services
• Special Instruction
• Speech-Language Pathology Services
•  Transportation and Related Costs
• Vision Services

In order to access funding, the child must have a signed Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) in place that contains mutually agreed upon outcome(s) related to the service in which Part C funds are being requested, and lists the frequency and intensity of the child’s need for that service.

Financial assistance for Part C entitlement services is guided by the Montana Milestone’s System of Payments policy. This payment system is designed to ensure the proper use of funds and that Part C funding is used as a payor of last resort. Other financial avenues explored prior to the use of Part C funding are: Private Insurance, Public Insurance, and applicable grants. Click here for more information on the Montana Milestones Part C of IDEA Program’s financial policies or visit Part C Early Intervention Guidance and Forms

Although services are free for families, the same financial supports noted above for the Part C program, do not apply to children receiving FES services, however; your assigned FSS will work diligently to assist you in locating applicable grants and other community resources to help meet the needs of your child.

Click here to view the Montana DPPHS Dispute Resolution policies and procedures.