Telepractice in IDEA Part C
Telepractice is an appropriate methodology of service delivery under IDEA Part C:
"Question 5: What should the IFSP Team consider if a parent requests that early intervention services are provided virtually as a method of delivery?
Answer: The child's IFSP Team (including the parent) must determine whether delivering the service virtually is an appropriate methodology for each service identified on the IFSP. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic some States permitted IFSP services to be delivered virtually. During various stages of the pandemic, States have allowed infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families to receive IFSP services virtually. Some parents may wish to continue to receive some or all IFSP services virtually. The State LA and its EIS providers may be able to provide IFSP services virtually depending on the State's policies and procedures, whether the services can be effectively provided on a virtual basis, and the individualized determination made by the child's IFSP Team. Early intervention services must be tailored to meet the unique needs of the individual child and family (34 C.F.R. § 303.344(d))."
Telepractice doesn't impact the purpose or requirements of early intervention. All Part C requirements remain in place, and the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) team (including the parent) determines telepractice is appropriate for each service under 34 CFR §303.340.
Effective telepractice creates live, interactive opportunities for providers and caregivers to coach, learn, and support children within everyday routines. When appropriate, telepractice may be used across the early intervention process, including:
- Evaluation and assessment
- IFSP meetings
- Service delivery
- Consultation
- Service coordination
What is Telepractice?
We use telepractice to describe the methodology used as an alternative to providing in-person services and supports to young children and families. States, agencies, funding sources, and professional organizations may use different terms, including:
- Remote early intervention
- Remote learning
- Distance learning
- Tele-intervention
- Telehealth
- Telemedicine
- Teletherapy
- Virtual home visits
- Virtual learning
What Telepractice Is
Telepractice uses secure technology to connect providers and families in real time while supporting early intervention within everyday routines and activities. telepractice:
- A service delivery method decided by the IFSP Team, including the family.
- Live, collaborative, interactive visits between providers and a family or caregiver
- Focused on observing and supporting the child within everyday routines
- Virtual or hybrid service delivery
What Telepractice Isn't
Telepractice is sometimes misunderstood as a passive or technology-driven approach. Clarifying what it is not helps reinforce how it aligns with early intervention practices and expectations. The following examples highlight common misconceptions. Telepractice is not:
- A change in services, outcomes, or family-centered practices
- A location or a separate service
- Children sitting and watching activities on screen
- Rigid online lessons or pre-recorded videos
- Providers working only with the child without involving caregivers
- Families providing services independently
Telepractice as a Method of Service Delivery
IDEA Part C services support the growth and development of infants and toddlers with disabilities to achieve IFSP outcomes. This ensures that all Part C requirements remain in place, regardless of how services are delivered. Telepractice is one way to deliver services. The IFSP team, including the family, determines whether telepractice is an appropriate method based on the child's and the family's needs.
What Changes?
The provider and family connect using secure technology rather than meeting in-person.
What Stays the Same?
Goals, IFSP outcomes, services, activities, supports, and the focus on learning during everyday routines in natural environments.
What is it Like?
By itself or as a combination of in-person and virtual for the same service, for different services, or for two or more providers delivering services during the same visit—for example, the physical therapist is in the home, but the vision specialist participates in that same visit virtually.
When Telepractice Can Be Used
States and programs can use telepractice to make informed decisions that support access, quality, and compliance with Part C requirements. When the IFSP team determines that telepractice is appropriate, telepractice may be used across the EI process, including:
- Evaluation and assessment
- IFSP meetings
- Service delivery, including Service Coordination
- Consultation
Telepractice can help teams maintain service continuity during short-term disruptions or disasters, offer flexible scheduling options, support coordination across providers, and increase access to supports and services while meeting all Part C requirements.
Family-Centered Telepractice in Action
When providers use telepractice effectively, the purpose of early intervention remains the same as with in-person services: supporting children's participation in everyday activities and routines.
Telepractice supports family-centered early intervention by engaging caregivers as active partners in their child's learning. Providers use coaching strategies during everyday routines—for example, play, meals, and daily care—to help families embed intervention strategies into daily life.
Regardless of whether services are provided virtually, in-person, or through a hybrid approach:
- Providers and families interact in real time during visits
- Providers embed support within everyday routines and activities
- Providers support caregiver use of strategies throughout the day
- Families build confidence in supporting their child's development
- Children participate in familiar natural environments where they live and learn
What States Need to Support Implementation of Telepractice
States play a key role in creating the conditions that support effective use of telepractice in early intervention. States need thoughtful planning across multiple areas to implement high-quality, family-centered services that align with Part C requirements. Clearly defined infrastructure supports help state and local programs adopt, implement, and sustain telepractice successfully.
State actions may include:
Policy and Guidance
- Develop clear policies and definitions
- Align IFSP guidance with use of telepractice
Provider and Family Supports
- Provide training, coaching, and implementation resources for providers
- Offer clear, accessible information and support for families
Systems
- Address funding and reimbursement, including Medicaid
- Expand access to secure technology to protect family privacy
- Implement strategies to support quality, consistency, and continuous improvement of using telepractice as a service delivery method
- Collect data on EIS program use of telepractice for tracking purposes
- Collect data on the efficacy of telepractice (improved child and family outcomes, meeting IFSP outcomes)
- Develop and provide ongoing professional development on the effective use of telepractice
Resources
- 34 CFR §303.340 — Individualized family service plan—general Establishes the IFSP Team as responsible for developing the IFSP.
- 34 CFR 303.344(d)(1)(i) — Content of an IFSP Establishes the IFSP must specify the method of delivery for each early intervention service.
- INTECA (Innovative Technology-Based Approaches for Early Childhood Assessment)
- Part C Use of Funds in the COVID-19 Environment Q-&-A Document (June 25, 2020) (OSEP, 2020)
- Return to School Roadmap: Provision of Early Intervention Services (Oct. 29, 2021) (OSEP, 2021) The answer to Question 5 clarifies that the IFSP team determines if telepractice is an appropriate method for each service.
- POLICY LETTER: September 24, 2007 to individual (personally identifiable information redacted) (OSEP, 2007) Clarifies final telepractice determinations are made by the full IFSP team—not any one individual.
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