As an Early Interventionist at the Minot Infant Development Program, I am responsible to schedule and complete evaluations for children under three years of age that are referred to the program due to delays in their development. In preparing for the evaluation, contact is made with the family to see what their concerns are and then to choose Team members that can best assist in that evaluation (Occupational or Physical Therapy, Audiology, Communication Disorders, etc.). Following the evaluation it is my responsibility to work with the family and Team members to put together a written plan of action (outcomes, activities, and criteria called an IFSP or Individual Family Service Plan),that is approved by the parents that meets their needs for their family. If I am the Home Visitor for the family, visits are made to the family home to work with the child and family to develop the skills or to meet the needs of the family that are agreed to in the IFSP.

 

In my position, I also serve as a resource to the family concerning their child's delays and general development to refer them to other sources of information and resources and to provide assistance with paperwork and meetings with other agencies, for instance, the Social Security Administration, if necessary. If I am not the Home Visitor, I supervise the Home Visitor and coordinate program reviews and any further assistance to address the family's needs. It is also part of my responsibility to coordinate services with other agencies when needed and to assist the family in meeting with other agencies in choosing services for the child once he turns three years of age (transition) and is no longer age eligible for services through our program. Contact is made with the family following the transition to another program to be sure that there are no further needs. If a family is moving to another state, assistance is provided to assist the family in obtaining services for their child where they will be moving. Follow up phone calls are made to families that have moved, to be sure that they have no further need of information or referral.

 

Ms. Ficek's Vita (pdf document)

 

Contact information:
Ms. Koletta Ficek
Minot State University
500 University Avenue West
Minot, ND 58707
(800)233-1737 or (701)858-3205