1. (a) Optional developmental screenings are done to determine the need for further evaluation. When a developmental screening is completed, the subrecipient must:

   1. (1) use an HHSC ECI-approved screening tool; and
   2. (2) train providers to administer the selected screening tool according to the requirements of the selected tool.

2. (b) A parent has the right to request at any time:

   1. (1) a comprehensive evaluation after a developmental screening; or
   2. (2) a comprehensive evaluation instead of a developmental screening.

3. (c) If the results of a child's developmental screening do not indicate a concern, the subrecipient must:

   1. (1) provide written documentation to the parent that further evaluation is not recommended;
   2. (2) offer the parent a comprehensive evaluation; and
   3. (3) conduct a comprehensive evaluation if requested by the parent.

4. (d) In accordance with the MOU between HHSC ECI and DFPS, the subrecipient must coordinate with DFPS to accept a referral for a child under 36 months of age who is:

   1. (1) involved in a substantiated case of child abuse or neglect;
   2. (2) suspected to have a disability or developmental delay; or
   3. (3) identified as affected by substance abuse or withdrawal symptoms resulting from prenatal drug exposure or a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).

5. (e) Requirements for optional developmental screenings or comprehensive evaluations for a child who meets the criteria in subsection (d) of this section are as follows.

   1. (1) If the subrecipient receives a completed developmental screening from a health care provider for a child who is in DFPS conservatorship that indicates the child has a developmental delay, the subrecipient must offer a comprehensive evaluation to determine eligibility for ECI services.
   2. (2) If the subrecipient receives a referral for a child who meets one of the criteria in subsection (d) of this section, the subrecipient must offer either a developmental screening or proceed directly to comprehensive evaluation.
   3. (3) If the subrecipient receives a referral for a child who does not meet one of the criteria in subsection (d) of this section, the subrecipient follows their local procedures for accepting a referral, conducting a developmental screening, and completing an evaluation.

Source Note:The provisions of this §350.709 adopted to be effective September 1, 2011, 36 TexReg 5387; amended to be effective July 1, 2012, 37 TexReg 4621; amended to be effective September 1, 2013, 38 TexReg 5524; amended to be effective June 30, 2019, 44 TexReg 3280; transferred effective March 1, 2021, as published in the Texas Register February 5, 2021, 46 TexReg 941; amended to be effective February 13, 2025, 50 TexReg 772.