AzEIP Response to COVID-19

7/16/2020

During these past several months and in these times of such uncertainty, we have continued to be amazed and deeply appreciative of all of you, your staff and team members who are continuously dedicated to supporting our program and the children and families within it who substantially benefit from their expertise.

• We appreciate that there are many varying opinions, needs, questions, and concerns on various levels regarding resuming in-person services, including those coming directly from service providers as well as families. We take all of this seriously and respect all viewpoints and considerations as we make any determinations moving forward in terms of in-person Part C services resuming statewide.
• Due to early intervention being defined as "educational services" under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), we are aware this may cause some confusion when there is currently a lot of discussion in the community regarding resuming school (i.e., K-12), and around any current Executive Orders pertaining to education in place by Arizona's Governor. We want to help with some of the confusion in the field and let you know that as of today, July 16, 2020, there has not been any statewide order or mandate that affects the IDEA Part C services for children 0-3 in the same way. Therefore, in applying guidance to resuming in-home services, we would always want the early intervention programs to refer to the most recent guidance from the AzEIP office and contact us if there are any questions.
• We appreciate that many team members are looking forward to resuming in-person services again, however at this time early intervention services will continue to be offered only through alternative methods until further notice. We must continue to make data-driven decisions and apply the federal regulations to the fullest extent possible. As of now, AzEIP is expecting to take a phased approach in regard to resuming in-person services, and further guidance will be released. This will be in alignment with state and CDC guidelines, and to the maximum extent possible, with the four other Participating State Agencies guidance in the Early Intervention System in Arizona (DHS, ADE, ASDB, ADE), including DDD as our internal DES service providing agency.
• AzEIP has convened a COVID-19 Taskforce representing various stakeholders, families and providers. They are energized to support AzEIP’s next phase of the COVID-19 response. The taskforce’s first task is gathering feedback from Early Intervention Service Providers which will inform the AzEIP Family Listening Sessions which will engage families and understand more of their experience with early intervention during the COVID-19 pandemic, and their thoughts about future services. Three sessions have been scheduled, each will have the same content, but offered at different times to accommodate family schedules.
• AzEIP Virtual Family Listening Session #1
  August 3, 2020, 10:00am -11:00am
  
  • Join via Google Meet
  • Join by phone: (US) +1 218-481-1519‬
    PIN: 992 133 071‬#
• AzEIP Virtual Family Listening Session #2
  August 5, 2020, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
  
  • Join via Google Meet
  • Join by phone: (US) +1 413-893-3349‬
    PIN: 838 623 700‬#
• AzEIP Virtual Family Listening Session #3
   August 8, 2020, 11:00am - 12:00pm
  
  • Join via Google Meet
  • Join by phone: (US) +1 650-449-9753‬
    PIN: 210 183 095‬#
• We continue to value the input and expertise of the early intervention community and will continue to gather information to assess next steps. Thank you for your support of children and families and the hard work you and your teams do every day.

6/15/2020

As we continue to move forward through these uncharted times dealing with COVID-19, we want to update you on our progress. As we develop a plan for next steps to “re-open” in-person interactions, federal and state guidance will be incorporated. We understand families and early intervention providers may be eager to re-enter the home and community settings to provide services, however to adequately follow health and safety protocols and ensure the equity of early intervention services in Arizona, alternative service delivery methods shall occur until further guidance is released by AzEIP. AzEIP will continue to collaborate with AzEIP Service Providing Agencies (DDD, ASDB, TBEIS Contractors) to ensure the guidance and plan for next steps are aligned. As more information becomes available including guidance from state and federal authorities, we will continue to revise plans and share any updates.

• We are partnering with stakeholders and will be soliciting feedback from early intervention programs to support our efforts in making informed decisions to develop guidance and ensure the safety of the children and families we serve and the early intervention staff who interact in serving these families. Additionally, AzEIP is establishing a task-force that includes stakeholders, families and providers to examine considerations that need to be made in order to safely resume in-person visits. We will be providing opportunities for you to share your feedback in the very near future. Information collected will be used to inform our plan for resuming in-person visits.
• We appreciate the thoughtfulness in all of your feedback, inquiries, and questions submitted. They lead directly to the informed decisions we make.

6/3/2020

AzEIP Referrals Continue during COVID-19 public awareness flyer 

5/8/2020

Email sent on behalf of Jenee Sisnroy, Part C Coordinator and AzEIP Administrator to early intervention service providing agencies:

• As of May 8, 2020, Arizona Early Intervention Program (AzEIP) continues to support early intervention programs in their use of alternative methods to serve children and families. Early intervention programs may continue to engage with families, process all new referrals, provide ongoing support and services, and conduct transition activities utilizing alternative methods, which may include tele-intervention. 
• We recognize you may be getting questions or concerns regarding the next steps in resuming in-home services. Although Arizona’s stay-at-home orders are gradually being lifted beginning May 8, 2020, AzEIP will not be resuming required in-person home or community visits at this time. The decisions that AzEIP made as a response to COVID-19 as of date were guided by our federal and state governing bodies and public health guidelines, which include the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), Executive Order directives from Arizona’s Governor, Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). AzEIP will also take all governing bodies directives into account when making any future decisions on service delivery options and requirements. 
• We recognize the abrupt changes in providing AzEIP services has been a monumental adjustment, and thank all of you for your flexibility and perseverance during this time. AzEIP will continue to work closely with our early intervention programs and community and national partners to provide your teams with guidance, technical assistance and support. When the option to fully resume home and community based services is upon us, we will ensure we communicate those next steps to you as early intervention leaders. 
• We appreciate your partnership and flexibility as we continue to provide essential services for Arizona children and families in a safe manner.

5/4/2020

AzEIP ICC for Infants and Toddlers Meeting Scheduled

4/17/2020

AzEIP is Accepting Referrals During COVID-19 Crisis public awareness flyer

4/3/2020

AzEIP ICC for Infants and Toddlers Meeting Cancelled

3/20/2020

Letter to families regarding the provision of AzEIP services

3/17/2020

AzEIP Webinar and COVID-19 Presentation

3/16/2020

AzEIP wants you to know that our current goal is to ensure through all this uncertainty, all the children and families within our program, the dedicated early intervention providers, and hard-working leadership of the early intervention programs are supported through navigating these changes together. We know that our services are so critical to the families we serve, and to that end, we want to make sure every family is supported with the continuity of their child’s necessary services under Part C of IDEA, while we also adhere to the increasing evidence for social distancing measures. Effective Monday March 16, 2020; alternative service delivery methods will be allowed for children receiving services within our program, until a later specified time identified by AzEIP. This informed decision was made after the Statewide Declaration of Emergency and Executive Order by Governor Ducey signed on March 11, 2020, as well as the receipt of federal guidance on alternative service delivery options.