1. (a)

   1. (1) Parental consent documented in the child’s electronic record in the state-approved data system is required prior to scheduling and conducting an evaluation.
   2. (2) Prior written notice is required prior to conducting an evaluation.
   3. (3) A parent or other caregiver has the right to be present with the child for the evaluation and has the right to participate in the evaluation process.
   4. (4) Evaluations take place in the child’s natural environment and young children may not be separated from the parent or other familiar caregiver for the purpose of evaluation or assessment.

2. (b)

   1. (1) Any instrument and procedures used as part of an evaluation must be performed by an individual qualified to administer the evaluation instrument.

   2. (2)

      1. (A) An evaluation must be administered in the child’s natural environment with the parent or other caregivers present.
      2. (B) Young children are not to be separated from familiar caregivers for the purpose of evaluation or IFSP service provision.
   3. (3) All aspects of an evaluation must be communicated in the child’s and the family’s native language.
   4. (4) Evaluations must be conducted in the native language of the child, which may or may not be the native language or primary mode of communication of the parent and family.

3. (c)

   1. (1)

      1. (A) Each evaluation performed must have its own evaluation report.
      2. (B) The evaluation report must be prepared by the licensed and certified therapist who conducted the evaluation.
      3. (C) The evaluation report must be written in a format and using language that is free of jargon and understandable to the general public and useful to the child’s family.
   2. (2) The completed evaluation report must be keyed into the child’s state-approved data system record within twenty-one (21) calendar days of the of parental consent for the evaluation and a copy of the evaluation report attached.

   3. (3) The evaluation report must include, at a minimum:

      1. (A) The child’s name, birthdate, and native language;
      2. (B) The name of the participating parent or other caregiver and their native language;
      3. (C) The name of the evaluation instrument and date administered;
      4. (D) The name and credentials of the individual who conducted the evaluation;
      5. (E) The date and location where the evaluation was administered;
      6. (F) The referral source and why the child was referred for early intervention;
      7. (G) A complete child and family social history, which should include:

4. (i) All individuals living in same household as child;

   1. (ii) Observation of the child in their natural environment engaged in typical child and family routines and activities;

      1. (iii) Information about the child’s ability to participate in typical child and family activities, daily routines, child and family interests, and the places the child and family go;

         1. (iv) The family’s concerns about the child’s ability to participate and to use age-level skills;
         2. (v) The child’s early educational and service history; and
         3. (vi) The child’s medical history, including without limitation a health, vision, and hearing summary;
      2. (H) A complete child developmental history, including without limitation the child’s interests, abilities, strengths, and developmental needs;

      3. (I) Recommendations that support the family in assisting in the child’s learning and development, and IFSP development which should include:

         1. (i) Solutions to family issues, such as activities and routines in which the family would like the child to participate more fully;
         2. (ii) The skills needed for the child to successfully participate in the family identified activity or routine;
         3. (iii) Skills that the family could benefit from learning that would assist the child’s development and participation in everyday routines and activities;
         4. (iv) Assistive technology devices, adaptations of existing equipment, or acquisition of other materials that will support the child’s participation in everyday family routines and activities;
         5. (v) Information that would enhance the family’s capacity to assist the child’s development and participation in everyday routines and activities; and
         6. (vi) Referrals to people and community resources outside of First Connections that would assist the child and family in expanding opportunities for involvement in community activities;
      4. (J) The signature, date, and credentials of the individual who conducted the evaluation;
      5. (K) Description of child’s strengths and needs based on evaluation results, initial COS 1-7 number rating, parent and, or, or both caregiver report, and observation; and
      6. (L) Description of how the child’s delay and, or, or both disability impact the child’s ability to participate in typical child and family activities.

   2. (4)

      1. (A) The early intervention service or services needed to reach the goals and objectives on the IFSP are determined by the IFSP team after the IFSP has been developed.
      2. (B) Recommendations for a specific service or the frequency and intensity of a service are not appropriate for evaluation reports conducted for children referred for early intervention.

Codification Notes: "COS" means Child Outcomes Summary.