Professional background of service coordinators and collaboration with community agencies

Data from a statewide survey were used to examine the relationship between the professional backgrounds of early intervention service coordinators and their reported knowledge of and interaction with community resources relevant to early intervention services. Early intervention service coordinators with human service backgrounds were more likely to report higher levels of knowledge or interaction with social service agencies, such as community action agencies, family resource centers, and local charities, whereas service coordinators with professional backgrounds in health areas reported higher levels of knowledge or interaction with health-related services, such as Early Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment, Medicare, and private health insurance. Service coordinators with professional backgrounds in education were more knowledgeable about traditional educational services, including state at-risk preschool programs and private child care. Implications for professional development are discussed.