WHAT IS THE INTERVENTION AND REFERRAL SERVICES COMMITTEE?
The Intervention and Referral Committee is a school-based support committee
which assists educators to plan and deliver interventions that accommodate
the learning, behavioral and/or health difficulties of students whose needs
are identified by staff or parents. Through collaboration, support, action
and monitoring, they seek to resolve identified problems.
WHO CAN SERVE ON THE INTERVENTION AND REFERRAL SERVICES COMMITTEE?
In addition to the Principal or Assistant Principal and Student Assistance
Specialist, the referring teacher(s) and general education teacher the I&RS
may include other support staff whose different abilities and educational
experiences will facilitate the development of an Action Plan that will
assist your child. The support staff may be the, nurse, counselor, reading
specialist, math specialist, psychologist, social worker, learning
disabilities teacher-consultant, and speech/language specialist.
Parents or guardians are involved in the development and implementation of
the Action Plan. You will be asked to provide input and you will receive a
written copy of the Action Plan that is developed for your child. You will
be notified of any referral plans to community-based social and health
providing agencies. If these are recommended, you may be asked to provide
coordinated strategies at home to assist your child.
WHAT WILL THE INTERVENTION AND REFERRAL SERVICES COMMITTEE DO TO HELP?
The members of the Intervention and Referral Services Committee will obtain
important information related to your child’s needs. They will meet to
discuss his/her areas of strengths and weaknesses and will then problem-solve
and develop an Action Plan to address those areas in which he/she is
experiencing difficulties in school. The I&RS can also coordinate services
of community-based social and health providing agencies, if needed. They
will review and assess the effectiveness of the interventions provided to
achieve the outcomes identified in the Action Plan. The Action Plan will be
modified, as appropriate, to achieve the desired outcomes. This will be done
at a follow-up review meeting.
WHAT IS AN ACTION PLAN?
The Action Plan identifies desired outcomes and details interventions
(strategies, modifications or other services) that are considered to be
helpful to your child and the teachers. It is a thoughtful, planned approach
to modify your child’s educational program and school performance. You will
receive a copy of the Action Plan formulated for your child. The
implementation of the Action Plan’s interventions will be reviewed by the
I&RS committee within time frames that are stipulated in the plan.