(c) The early intervention official shall be responsible for the determination of the need for a surrogate parent for eligible or potentially eligible children and make reasonable efforts, including contacting persons who might have information concerning the parent, or visit and/or send letters via regular and certified mail to addresses at which the parent may have lived, to discover the whereabouts of a parent before appointing a surrogate.

1. (1) The early intervention official shall establish agreements with local social services districts, Family Court and other relevant public agencies regarding procedures which will be used to identify eligible or potentially eligible children in need of surrogate parents.
2. (2) Upon receipt of a referral of an eligible or potentially eligible child who is in the care and custody or custody and guardianship of the local commissioner of social services, the early intervention official, in consultation with the local commissioner of social services or designee, shall determine the availability of the parent.
3. (3) In the event that the child is a ward of the State, or in the care and custody of the local social services commissioner, and his or her parents by birth or adoption are unavailable and the child has no person in parental relation, the early intervention official shall consult with the local commissioner of social services with care and custody or custody and guardianship of the child to promptly appoint a surrogate parent.

(f) The early intervention official shall select a surrogate parent who is qualified and willing to serve in such capacity and who:

1. (1) has no interest that conflicts with the interests of the child;
2. (2) has knowledge and skills that ensure adequate representation of the child;
3. (3) if available and appropriate, is a relative who has an ongoing relationship with the child or a foster parent with whom the child resides;
4. (4) is not an employee of the lead agency or any other public agency or provider involved in the provision of early intervention or education, care or other services to the child, provided however that a person who otherwise qualifies to be a surrogate parent is not considered an employee solely because he or she is paid by a public agency to serve as a surrogate parent;
5. (5) has been selected, for any child who is a ward of the State or for any child whose parent is unavailable and who is in the care and custody of the local social services commissioner, in consultation with the local commissioner of social services or designee; and
6. (6) in the case of a child who is a ward of the State, the early intervention official shall recognize the appointment of a surrogate parent by a judge overseeing the child’s case, for purposes of the Early Intervention Program.

(g) The early intervention official shall afford the surrogate parent the same rights and responsibilities as accorded to the parent by the Early Intervention Program and shall represent the child in all matters related to:

1. (1) screening, evaluation, and assessment of the child;
2. (2) development and implementation of the individualized family service plan, including annual evaluations and periodic reviews;
3. (3) the ongoing provision of early intervention services;
4. (4) the right to request mediation or an impartial hearing in the event of a dispute; and
5. (5) any other rights established in the Early Intervention Program.

(i) A person appointed to serve as a surrogate parent shall be removed by the early intervention official in the event:

1. (1) the surrogate parent is no longer willing or available to participate in that capacity;
2. (2) the surrogate parent fails to fulfill his or her duties;
3. (3) the child is no longer a ward of the State; or
4. (4) a parent becomes available.