Coordinating Service Delivery

Schools fortunately are filled with multiple service providers including classroom teachers, special educators, occupational therapists, physical therapists, counselors, specialist teachers, teaching assistants, nurses, and more. This terrific array of service providers can be complicated by the need to coordinate those services both in time, intent, and delivery--how do we find time and work with each other in ways that best meet the needs of each and every student.

As I think about this issue, I believe the following points are integral:

• prioritizing what's most important for each service delivery person
• efficiency with time since there is little time for share 
• effective scheduling
• time-on-task with students
• patterns of response

This week as I meet with a number of service delivery providers in a number of meetings to look deeply at service delivery priorities, intent, actions, and results, I'll be thinking of the best possible patterns of service delivery--patterns that ensure we are doing what we need to do to appropriate meet each child's needs and potential. 

Some years present little need for coordination since there are not as many services needed, and other years present a more complex situation. That's why it's important to look deeply at this situation early in the year to create best possible patterns of service delivery, effort, and effect.