1. (a)

   1. (1) Service coordination services are required by Part C of the IDEA to be provided to the family of each child referred for early intervention.
   2. (2) Service coordination services support the families of children referred for early intervention in understanding their options and in navigating the state's system of supports, resources, and services for families of children birth to three (3) regardless of the child’s program eligibility.
   3. (3) Service coordination services ensure that the family of a program-eligible child understands the purpose and process of an early intervention program under IDEA, Part C and that the family learns their rights under the IDEA in the context of this process.
   4. (4) Service coordination services ensure that the family of a program-eligible child has support and guidance in directing their child’s early intervention, developing an IFSP that aligns with their interests, priorities and goals, child and family strengths and needs, and typical daily routines, and in accessing the early intervention service or services identified as necessary to reach the goals and objectives on their IFSP.
   5. (5) Service coordination services support the parents and other caregivers of a program-eligible child in planning for and experiencing a smooth transition out of early intervention at age three (3).
   6. (6) Service coordination services must be provided by a local provider program who is certified by First Connections to provide service coordination services.
2. (b) Use of the term “service coordination” or “service coordination services” does not preclude characterization of the services as case management or any other service that is covered by another payor of last resort (including Title XIX of the Social Security Act—Medicaid), for purposes of claims in compliance with the requirements of 34 C.F.R. §§ 303.501 – 303.521 (payor of last resort provisions).

3. (c)

   1. (1) To be certified as an early intervention service coordinator by First Connections, an individual must have:

      1. (A)

4. (i) A bachelor’s (or more advanced) degree in education, social work, or a related field.

   1. (ii) A high school diploma, GED, or the equivalent, and have completed the First Connections Alternative Certification training;

      1. (B) Two (2) years’ experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities;
      2. (C) Completed the First Connections Core Competencies for Service Coordinators Certification training and met annual ongoing professional development and other training requirements.
   2. (2) A local provider program service coordinator may only provide service coordination services for one (1) local provider program.

   3. (3) A local provider program service coordinator is limited to a maximum service coordination caseload of fifty (50) active IFSPs without written approval from First Connections.

      1. (d)
   4. (1) An initial service coordinator is assigned at the time of a child’s referral to the First Connections Central Intake Unit.

   5. (2) An initial service coordinator is responsible for:

      1. (A) Making initial contact with the parent and supporting parent participation in early intervention;
      2. (B) Discussing with the parent the child and family rights under IDEA, Part C and discussing the procedural safeguards;
      3. (C) Discussing and obtaining parent signature on Parent Participation Agreement;
      4. (D) Providing the parent first and second choice of provider to perform the CMDE;
      5. (E) Determining need for and eligibility for interim IFSP;
      6. (F) Initiating the child’s electronic record in the state-approved data system;
      7. (G) Scheduling the family engagement meeting (intake) at a time and place convenient to the family and within seventeen (17) calendar days from the date of the child’s referral for early intervention;
      8. (H) Sending prior written notice of the family engagement meeting (FEM) at least seven (7) calendar days in advance of the meeting or obtaining documentation of parent choice to meet before receiving prior written notice of the FEM;
      9. (I) Explaining the purpose and process of the CMDE and next steps and obtaining parent consent for the required CMDE;
      10. (J) Assisting the family in identifying who they would like to include on their IFSP team and obtaining parent consent to release and, or, or both share information with any individuals, agencies, organizations who may need to be included on the family’s IFSP team;
      11. (K) Sending notice of meeting outcome summarizing steps and results of the FEM along with a printed copy of the FEM (intake) paperwork;
      12. (L) Monitoring the provision and completion of the CMDE within twenty-one (21) calendar days of parent consent for the evaluation to ensure the meeting to determine program eligibility is scheduled no later than forty-five (45) calendar days of the date of the child’s referral to early intervention;
      13. (M) Sending prior written notice of the meeting to determine program eligibility at least seven (7) calendar days in advance of the meeting;
      14. (N) Convening and facilitating the meeting to determine program eligibility with the family and their IFSP team and working as a team to determine the child’s initial Child Outcomes Summary (COS) 1-7 number rating and documenting this data in the child’s electronic record;
      15. (O) Working with the IFSP team to determine initial program eligibility in one (1) of the program eligibility categories in accordance with 20 CAR § 1002-402(11);
      16. (P) Supporting the family in developing the family goal on the IFSP in accordance with 20 CAR § 1002-504(a)(5);
      17. (Q) Supporting the IFSP team in writing the program eligibility statement for the initial IFSP;
      18. (R) Supporting the IFSP team (which includes the family and anyone the family wants to include) in developing a well-developed initial IFSP with a minimum of five (5) child-participation goals (outcome statements) clearly linked to child and family interests and the family’s priorities, goals, concerns, and daily routines;
      19. (S) Supporting the IFSP team in developing the developmental sequence of action steps (objectives) to reach each IFSP goal written in family-friendly language and clearly linked to child and family interests and routines;
      20. (T) Supporting the IFSP team in selecting the early intervention service or services necessary to reach the child-participation goals on the initial IFSP;
      21. (U) Supporting the IFSP team in identifying the natural environment service setting for each early intervention service on the initial IFSP;
      22. (V) Supporting the IFSP team in determining the amount of support, consultation, coaching, and training the parent or other adult caregiver who will be present and participating in home and community visits (service sessions) will need in order to know how to promote their child’s participation, early learning, and development in order to determine service frequency and intensity for each IFSP service;
      23. (W) Obtaining parent consent (on required form) for each IFSP service;
      24. (X) Providing the parent with first and second choice of local provider program for each IFSP service (including service coordination services);
      25. (Y) Entering all documentation into the child’s electronic record in the state-approved data system;
      26. (Z) Sending notice of meeting outcome to summarize what took place in the meeting to determine program eligibility and the initial IFSP development; and
      27. (AA) Informing the parent of next steps and timeline for IFSP service provision and what to do if their initial service session is not scheduled within two (2) weeks.

5. (e)

   1. (1) The parent will be offered their choice of an ongoing service coordinator at the initial IFSP meeting when selecting their choice of provider for each IFSP service.

   2. (2) The ongoing service coordinator’s responsibilities include without limitation:

      1. (A) Monitoring the provision of early intervention services on the IFSP to ensure they are occurring as outlined on the individualized family service plan (IFSP);
      2. (B) Updating and maintaining timely and accurate electronic records for each child and family on their case load in the state-approved data system as required;
      3. (C) Assisting the parent in obtaining access to supports, information, and services outside of Part C early intervention to meet family-identified needs, wants, interests, and goals and obtaining parent consent on required form to make referrals to outside agencies, programs, services, or organizations;
      4. (D) Coordinating any evaluations after the initial CMDE process determined necessary;
      5. (E) Monitoring the provision of early intervention services and other services that the child needs or is being provided;
      6. (F) Ensuring that the early intervention services and other services identified in the IFSP are provided in the child’s natural environment;
      7. (G) Facilitating and participating in the review and evaluation of IFSPs;
      8. (H) Coordinating the funding source or sources for early intervention services determined necessary to reach the goals and objectives on a child’s and family’s plan;
      9. (I) Conducting follow-up activities to ensure the timely provision of IFSP services;
      10. (J) Supporting parent and, or, or both family participation in all aspects of their child’s early intervention;
      11. (K) Scheduling and convening IFSP team meetings at times and places convenient to the parent and, or, or both family;
      12. (L) Sending prior written notice, notice of meeting outcome, and other required notices and procedural safeguards and documenting in the child’s electronic record in the state-approved data system;
      13. (M) Teaching families their rights in the context of the early intervention process;
      14. (N) Informing families of their dispute resolution options (when applicable);
      15. (O) Facilitating the IFSP team's annual redetermination of program eligibility;
      16. (P) Facilitating the IFSP team's timely and accurate collection of Indicator 3 Child Outcomes data (COS rating) at annual IFSP review and at child exit;

      17. (Q)

          1. (i) Facilitating the development of a transition plan to preschool or, if appropriate, to other services.
          2. (ii) Coordinating the funding sources for services on the IFSP; and
      18. (R) Facilitating the development of a transition plan to preschool or, if appropriate, to other services.
   3. (3) If through adoption or otherwise there is a change in the parent, then the service coordinator must close out the child’s electronic record in the state-approved data system under the former parent and open a new electronic record under the new parent.

6. (f) A service coordinator must maintain the following documentation in the case notes of the child’s electronic record in the state-approved data system for activities conducted on behalf of children and families and other service coordination service provided including, but not limited to:

   1. (1) A summary of specific activities performed on behalf of the child and, or, or both family;
   2. (2) Recommendations based on the results of the service coordination service, if any;
   3. (3) Calls or other contracts made with the family; and
   4. (4) Written notices or information sent to the family.

Codification Notes: Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is codified at 20 U.S.C. § 1431 et seq. Title XIX of the Social Security Act is codified at 42 U.S.C. § 1396 et seq. “GED” means General Educational Development.