Case notes are how service coordinators (SCs) in Illinois capture a family's story! Writing case notes is an important skill for service coordinators because the case notes need to include required recordkeeping information but also "paint a picture" that showcases a family's unique strengths, concerns, and priorities for others in EI to better understand the family they are serving.
On this page, SCs will find a variety of case note examples and templates designed to help you better understand the key elements of effective case documentation. By reviewing these samples, you can gain insight into the essentials required, which can serve as a foundation for developing your own personalized templates. Whether you're new to case notes or looking to refine your skills, these resources can support you in creating clear, concise, and professional case records that meet your specific needs. Each of the following examples/templates include:
- general instructions and reminders,
- a free-form example that can be edited to suit your needs, and
- content examples that provide context about the level of detail needed for that activity.
For additional guidance on documentation, please visit our Documentation Resources for Service Coordinators page. For more on the policies around case notes, please visit the Child and Family Connections Procedure Manual section on Recordkeeping.
Case Note Examples/Templates for Service Coordination Activities:
Click on a section to view examples and templates related to that section or part of the EI Process. Word documents will download into a separate window and folder. You will not be able to view them in the browser, but you can open them on your computer using Microsoft Word (or other Word application). The files are usually under "Downloads" on your computer.
- First Contact (Referral) (Word document)
- Intake (Word document)
- Eligibility (Word document)
- Initial IFSP (Word document)
- IFSP Implementation (Word document)
- 6-Month/Progress Review (Word document)
- Annual IFSP Review (Word document)
- Transition (Word document)
- Exit IFSP Meeting (Word document)
Series Example - Referral to IFSP
Series Example - Live Video Visits: Intake to IFSP
