Inservice training in family assessment and goal-setting for early interventionists: Outcomes and issues

Public Law 99-457 mandates that early interventionists working with handicapped infants write an Individualized Family Service Plan. Most early Interventionists, however, have insufficient preservice training in working with families. This article evaluates the effects of inservice training in family assessment and collaborative goal-setting based on the Family-Focused Intervention model. The training increased interventionists' use of family assessment tools and increased the proportion of family goals written as part of a comprehensive plan. The focused interview, a specific step in Family-Focused Intervention, significantly affected the goals ultimately specified. The study raises several important issues related to increasing a family focus in early intervention. These issues are discussed and directions for future research are suggested.