Effective Strategies for Intervention and Referral Services (I&RS)

K–12 school counselors deepen skills in establish & operate effective Intervention & Referral Services (I&RS) teams.

This comprehensive workshop equips K–12 school counselors with the tools and knowledge to establish and operate effective Intervention and Referral Services (I&RS) teams. Participants explore the purpose, structure, and processes of I&RS as mandated by New Jersey Administrative Code, with emphasis on identifying student needs early and supporting struggling students through a collaborative, data-driven approach. Through interactive activities and practical planning sessions, attendees learn how to form multidisciplinary teams, implement targeted interventions, and maintain detailed documentation for continuous improvement. The workshop also covers best practices and offers actionable strategies that can be immediately applied within school settings.

Core Needs Addressed

  • Lack of early identification and support for students with academic, behavioral, or health challenges

  • Inconsistent or ineffective I&RS team structures and processes

  • Insufficient collaboration and communication among school staff and families regarding student interventions

  • Gaps in data collection, intervention planning, and progress monitoring

Key Learnings

  1. Establishing and Operating an Effective I&RS Team
    Participants will learn how to structure a multidisciplinary I&RS team, define roles, and guide the team through referral, assessment, intervention planning, and monitoring processes, all in alignment with NJ state mandates.

  2. Implementing Data-Driven and Tiered Interventions
    Counselors will gain strategies to collect and assess relevant student data and apply tiered interventions (Tier 1–3) that are targeted, measurable, and customized to meet individual student needs, with an emphasis on progress monitoring and data-informed adjustments.

  3. Enhancing Collaboration and Documentation for Sustained Impact
    Attendees will understand how to foster effective communication with parents, teachers, and service providers, and maintain detailed records that support transparency, evaluation, legal compliance, and ongoing refinement of I&RS practices.

Schedule a Call

Learn more about this workshop.

School

District

College
University

Other

Please provide the institiue name

Thank you for submitting the contact request. We will get back to you shortly.
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Related Content

Conflict Resolution Lesson Plan

Start, Stop, Continue Reflection Activity

Habits of Mind Reflection Worksheet

Effective Strategies for Intervention and Referral Services (I&RS)

K–12 school counselors deepen skills in establish & operate effective Intervention & Referral Services (I&RS) teams.

Led by our team of Instructional Strategists

Learning Path

Last Updated

Apr 15, 2026 2:47 PM

Talk with an expert

Want a thought partner to help you design solutions that fit your school?

Thank you for submitting the contact request. We will get back to you shortly.
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Designed for School Leaders asking...

How can we strengthen our I&RS processes to ensure early identification and measurable improvement in outcomes for struggling students?

What systems will ensure multidisciplinary teams implement targeted, data-driven interventions with fidelity and clear documentation?

How do we build sustainable I&RS structures that reduce unnecessary referrals, improve student achievement, and enhance overall school effectiveness?

This workshop helped me better understand the challenges families face and gave me practical strategies to strengthen communication and engagement. I now feel more confident in building supportive partnerships with families to improve student success.

Jen Soloman

School Name

Delivering Powerful Learning Experiences

As a result of this work

As a result of this work, school counselors will strengthen their ability to establish and lead effective I&RS teams that proactively identify and support students in need, ensuring timely, data-driven interventions. Participants will leave with practical strategies, team structures, documentation tools, and intervention planning approaches that support compliance with state requirements and improve student outcomes through collaborative problem-solving.

Workshop Description

This comprehensive workshop equips K–12 school counselors with the tools and knowledge to establish and operate effective Intervention and Referral Services (I&RS) teams. Participants explore the purpose, structure, and processes of I&RS as mandated by New Jersey Administrative Code, with emphasis on identifying student needs early and supporting struggling students through a collaborative, data-driven approach. Through interactive activities and practical planning sessions, attendees learn how to form multidisciplinary teams, implement targeted interventions, and maintain detailed documentation for continuous improvement. The workshop also covers best practices and offers actionable strategies that can be immediately applied within school settings.

Expand To See More

Designed for Today's Schools

Customized
Expert-led
In-person, virtual, or asynchronous
Standards Aligned
Research-Based
Nationwide

Educators will confidently

Educators will confidently establish and lead effective I&RS teams by implementing structured, data-driven processes to identify student needs and coordinate targeted interventions. This work supports district priorities by strengthening inclusive practices, ensuring early and equitable support for all learners, and improving student outcomes through collaborative problem-solving.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes your workshops different from traditional professional development or other providers?

Our approach goes beyond one-size-fits-all professional development. We hold ourselves to rigorous standards of quality and delivery in every client interaction, ensuring that each experience is meaningful, relevant, and impactful. We don’t just deliver workshops—we build long-term partnerships with schools and districts, working alongside educators to improve instructional practices and student outcomes over time.

We actively listen to educators’ unique contexts and experiences, using that insight to collaboratively design tailored solutions rather than pre-packaged sessions. Our team asks thoughtful questions, challenges assumptions, and continuously learns so we can help redefine what’s possible in teaching and learning.

Above all, we communicate authentically, foster positive and productive relationships, and bring a deep passion and commitment to education. The result is professional learning that feels purposeful, personalized, and truly transformative.

Who are your workshops designed for?

Our workshops are designed for educators and school leaders, including teachers, instructional coaches, school administrators, and district teams. Each session is tailored to the specific audience to ensure content is relevant, practical, and immediately applicable.

What does a typical workshop look like?

Our workshops are interactive, engaging, and grounded in real classroom practice. Each experience is intentionally designed using the principles of andragogy, sound instructional design, and the core constructs of effective professional development to ensure relevance, coherence, and impact. Participants engage in discussion, reflection, planning, and application activities — not just passive listening. Educators leave with concrete strategies and next steps they can implement right away.

How long are your workshops?

We offer flexible formats, including half-day, full-day, and multi-session series. We can also design ongoing professional learning experiences to support sustained implementation over time.

What delivery methods are available for your workshops?

We offer flexible delivery options to meet the needs of schools and districts, including in-person sessions, live virtual workshops, and asynchronous learning through our applied learning platform. Regardless of format, all experiences are designed to be interactive, engaging, and collaborative, with structures that promote meaningful participation and application of learning.

What kind of follow-up support is available?

We believe professional learning is most effective when it’s sustained. In addition to workshops, we offer instructional coaching, implementation planning, and follow-up sessions to help teams translate learning into practice and drive meaningful results.

Who facilitates the workshops?

Inspired Instruction’s workshops are facilitated by a nationwide team of expert Instructional Strategists.  Our facilitators bring diverse experience as classroom educators, instructional coaches, principals, directors, and superintendents, spanning all content areas. We thoughtfully match your specific needs with a facilitator whose expertise aligns to ensure the learning experience is relevant, practical, and impactful for your staff.

How much does it cost to bring a workshop to my school or district?

We offer a range of pricing options designed to meet the needs of different schools and districts. Our Client Directors work closely with you to understand your goals, scope, and budget, and will partner with you to design a high-quality professional learning experience that fits within your financial framework.

Need a thought partner?

Work With Our Solution Team of Experienced Educators

Our team works alongside school and district leaders to tackle challenges and stay aligned to your goals.

Talk With An Expert
User 1
Team 2
Team 3
Michele Regan