Header:
TEXAS ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
TITLE 40. SOCIAL SERVICES AND ASSISTANCE
PART 2. DEPARTMENT OF ASSISTIVE AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES
CHAPTER 108. DIVISION FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD INTERVENTION SERVICES
SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL RULES
Date:
04/25/2014
Document:
§ 108.103. Definitions
The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, will have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
(1) Assessment--As defined in 34 CFR § 303.321(a)(2)(ii), the ongoing procedures used by appropriate qualified personnel throughout the period of a child's eligibility for early childhood intervention services to assess the child's individual strengths and needs and determine the appropriate services to meet those needs.
(2) Child--An infant or toddler as defined in 34 CFR § 303.21.
(3) Child Find--As described in 34 CFR §§ 303.115, 303.302 and 303.303, activities and strategies designed to lo-cate and identify, as early as possible, infants and toddlers with developmental delay.
(4) Complaint--A formal written allegation submitted to DARS stating that a requirement of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or an applicable federal or state regulation has been violated.
(5) Comprehensive Needs Assessment--The process for identifying a child's unique strengths and needs, and the family's resources, concerns, and priorities in order to develop an IFSP. The comprehensive assessment process gath-ers information across developmental domains regarding the child's abilities to participate in the everyday routines and activities of the family.
(6) Condition With a High Probability of Resulting in Developmental Delay--A medical diagnosis known and widely accepted within the medical community to result in a developmental delay over the natural course of the diagnosis.
(7) Consent--As defined in 34 CFR § 303.7 and meeting all requirements in 34 CFR § 303.420.
(8) Contractor--A local private or public agency with proper legal status and governed by a board of directors or governing authority that accepts funds from DARS to administer an early childhood intervention program.
(9) Co-visits--When two or more service providers deliver different services to the child during the same period of time.
(10) Days--Calendar days.
(11) DARS--The Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services. The entity designated as the lead agency by the governor under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Part C. DARS has the final authority and responsibility for the administration, supervision, and monitoring of programs and activities under this system. DARS has the final authority for the obligation and expenditure of funds and compliance with all applicable laws and rules.
(12) DARS ECI--The Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services Division for Early Childhood Inter-vention Services. The state program responsible for maintaining and implementing the statewide early childhood in-tervention system required under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Part C, as amended in 2004.
(13) Developmental Delay--As defined in Texas Human Resources Code § 73.001(3) and determined to be signifi-cant in compliance with the criteria and procedures in Subchapter H of this chapter (relating to Eligibility, Evaluation, and Assessment).
(14) Developmental Screenings--General screenings provided by the early childhood intervention program to as-sess the child's need for further evaluation.
(15) Early Childhood Intervention Program--In addition to the definition of early intervention service program as defined in 34 CFR § 303.11, a program operated by the contractor with the express purpose of implementing a system to provide early childhood intervention services to children with developmental delays and their families.
(16) Early Childhood Intervention Services--Individualized early childhood intervention services determined by the IFSP team to be necessary to support the family's ability to enhance their child's development. Early childhood inter-vention services are further defined in 34 CFR § 303.13 and § 303.16 and § 108.1105 of this title (relating to Capacity to Provide Early Childhood Intervention Services).
(17) ECI Professional--An individual employed by an Early Childhood Intervention Program who meets the re-quirements of qualified personnel as defined in 34 CFR § 303.13(c) and § 303.31, and who is knowledgeable in child development and developmentally appropriate behavior, possesses the requisite education and experience, and demonstrates competence to provide ECI services.
(18) EIS--Early Intervention Specialist. A credentialed professional who meets specific educational requirements established by DARS ECI and has specialized knowledge in early childhood cognitive, physical, communication, so-cial-emotional, and adaptive development.
(19) Evaluation--The procedures used by qualified personnel to determine a child's initial and continuing eligibility for early childhood intervention services that comply with the requirements described in 34 CFR § 303.21 and § 303.321.
(20) FERPA--Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, 20 USC § 1232g, as amended, and implementing regulations at 34 CFR Part 99. Federal law that outlines privacy protection for parents and children enrolled in the ECI program. FERPA includes rights to confidentiality and restrictions on disclosure of personally identifiable information, and the right to inspect records.
(21) Group Services--Early childhood intervention services provided at the same time to multiple non-related chil-dren and their parents or routine caregivers.
(22) IFSP--Individualized Family Service Plan as defined in 34 CFR § 303.20. A written plan of care for providing early childhood intervention services and other medical, health and social services to an eligible child and the child's family when necessary to enhance the child's development.
(23) IFSP Services--The individualized early childhood intervention services listed in the IFSP that have been de-termined by the IFSP team to be necessary to enhance an eligible child's development.
(24) IFSP Team--An interdisciplinary team that meets the requirements in 34 CFR § 303.24(b) (relating to Multidis-ciplinary), and develops, reviews, modifies, and approves the IFSP and includes the parent, the service coordinator, all ECI professionals providing services to the child, as planned on the IFSP, certified Teachers of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, as appropriate, and certified Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments, as appropriate.
(25) Interdisciplinary Team--In addition to the definition of multidisciplinary team as defined in 34 CFR § 303.24 (relating to Multidisciplinary), a team that consists of at least two ECI professionals from different disciplines.
(26) LEA--Local educational agency as defined in 34 CFR § 303.23.
(27) LPHA--Licensed Practitioner of the Healing Arts. A licensed physician, registered nurse, licensed physical therapist, licensed occupational therapist, licensed speech language pathologist, licensed professional counselor, li-censed clinical social worker, licensed psychologist, licensed dietitian, licensed audiologist, licensed physician assistant, licensed specialist in school psychology, licensed marriage and family therapist, licensed intern in speech language pathology, or advanced practice nurse.
(28) Medicaid--The medical assistance entitlement program administered by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
(29) Natural Environments--As defined in 34 CFR § 303.26, settings that are natural or typical for a same-aged in-fant or toddler without a disability, may include the home or community settings, and must be consistent with the provisions of 34 CFR § 303.126.
(30) Native Language--As defined in 34 CFR § 303.25.
(A) When used with respect to an individual who is limited English proficient (as that term is defined in section 602(18) of the Act), native language means: (i) the language normally used by that individual, or, in the case of a child, the language normally used by the parents of the child; and (ii) for evaluations and assessments conducted pursuant to 34 CFR § 303.321(a)(5) and (a)(6), the language normally used by the child, if developmentally appropriate for the child by qualified personnel conducting the evaluation or assessment.
(B) When used with respect to an individual who is deaf or hard of hearing, blind or visually impaired, for an indi-vidual with no written language, native language means the mode of communication that is normally used by the indi-vidual (such as sign language, braille, or oral communication).
(31) Parent--As defined in 20 USC § 1401 and 34 CFR § 303.27.
(32) Personally Identifiable Information--As defined in 34 CFR § 99.3 and 34 CFR § 303.29.
(33) Pre-Enrollment--All family related activities from the time the referral is received up until the time the parent signs the initial IFSP.
(34) Primary Referral Sources--As defined in 34 CFR § 303.303(c).
(35) Public Agency--DARS and any other state agency or political subdivision of the state that is responsible for providing early childhood intervention services to eligible children under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Part C.
(36) Referral Date--The date the child's name and sufficient information to contact the family was obtained by the contractor.
(37) Routine Caregiver--An adult who:
(A) has written authorization from the parent to participate in early childhood intervention services with the child, even in the absence of the parent;
(B) participates in the child's daily routines;
(C) knows the child's likes, dislikes, strengths, and needs; and
(D) may be the child's relative, childcare provider, or other person who regularly cares for the child.
(38) Service Coordinator--The contractor's employee or subcontractor who:
(A) meets all applicable requirements in Subchapter C of this chapter (relating to Staff Qualifications);
(B) is assigned to be the single contact point for the family;
(C) is responsible for providing case management services as described in § 108.405 of this title (relating to Case Management Services); and
(D) is from the profession most relevant to the child's or family's needs or is otherwise qualified to carry out all applicable responsibilities.
(39) Sign Language and Cued Language--As defined in 34 CFR § 303.13(b)(12).
(40) Surrogate Parent--A person assigned to act as a surrogate for the parent in compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Part C and this chapter.
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