Multi-agency, Multidisciplinary Team Assessments
By Patricia McGovern, Ph.D., NCSP
Region VIII Representative
 
Joint assessments were the solution as the Ventura County SELPA and the Tri Counties Regional Center (TCRC) sought an efficient, family friendly way to assess children with the potential diagnosis of autism, and collaborate on services. 
               This is a story of how, last April, the two agencies began – and were ultimately successful with – a multi-agency, multidisciplinary team approach to assessment.
               A meeting was held to discuss this process and my preschool team partner, psychologist Dr. Annette Murgia, and I met with the rest of the preschool assessment team leads and with Dr. Ron Brandt, the Regional Center psychologist assigned to participate in assessments for all West County SELPA districts. At this meeting we explored the "what/who/why/how/where/when/ and then whats" of this new process. 
               It was agreed that both the schools and the Regional Center would develop separate written assessment reports. Since the schools and Regional




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