Intervention and Referral SerVices (I&RS)

What is I&RS

• I&RS is a primary way in which we support teachers' and students' needs in the general education environment. I&RS is not intended to replace traditional methods or resources for heling students function effectively in school. Its primary focus is to align students' needs with available resources in the general education environment.

What is the purpose of I&RS?

• Identify learning, behavior and health difficulties of students.
• Collect thorough information on the identified learning, behavior, and health difficulties.
• Develop and implement action plans which provide for appropriate school or community interventions or referrals to school and community resources, based on the collected data and desired outcomes for the identified learning, behavior, and health difficulties.
• Provide support, guidance, and professional development to school staff that identify learning, behavior, and health difficulties.
• Provide support, guidance, and professional development to school staff that participate in each building's system for planning and providing intervention and referral services.
• Actively involve parents or guardians in the development and implementation of intervention and referral services action plan.

Why does the district have INTERVENTION AND REFERRAL SERVICES?

• New Jersey Administrative Code requires all school districts to have this service. The code is quoted below:
• 6A:16-8.1 Establishment of intervention and referral services
• (a) District boards of education shall establish and implement a coordinated system in each school building for the planning and delivery of intervention and referral services that are designed to assist students who are experiencing learning, behavior or health difficulties and to assist staff who have difficulties in addressing students learning, behavior or health needs. District boards of education shall choose the appropriate multidisciplinary team approach for planning and delivering the services required under this subchapter.

How is I&RS different from the Child Study Team?

• I&RS teams write Action Plans, based on teacher referrals and specific observable information. These plans are reviewed annually, at a minimum.
• CST use test results to place students into different programs, such as resource centers, in-class support, self-contained, or alternative educational placements. Child Study Teams write Individualized Education Plans, or IEPs which are reviewed annually, at a minimum.
• Typically, an I&RS Team is comprised of the Principal, Director of Instruction, Counselor, and teachers. Other specialized members, such as a reading specialist, occupational/physical/speech therapists, or the nurse may also participate.
• Typically a Child Study Team is comprised of a school psychologist, a learning disabilities teacher consultant, and a social worker. Therapists, teachers, the nurse and counselors may also participate.

How is I&RS different from a Section 504 Plan?

• A Section 504 Plan is a legal document falling under the provisions of the Rehabilitation Act. The 504 Plan is designed to plan a program of instructional services to assist students with special needs who are in a regular education setting. A 504 Plan is not an IEP, as is required for special education students. However, a student moving from a special education to a regular education placement could be placed under a 504 Plan for a period of transition.
• A student with a physical or emotional disability, or who is recovering from a chemical dependency, or who has an impairment (e.g. Attention Deficit Disorder) that restricts on or more major life activities may be eligible for a 504 Plan. Medical documentation may be needed to determine a student’s eligibility for a Section 504 Plan.
• A student that struggles with major life activities such as; caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, breaking, working, and/or learning.
• A student with diabetes may be given opportunities to eat in class, and visit the nurse daily for testing and/or medication.