2.03 Infant and Toddler Intial Referral

2.03.01 Referral Procedures

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(1) The child find system must include procedures for use by primary referral sources for referring a child to the appropriate public agency within the system for--

(i) Evaluation and assessment, in accordance with §§ 303.322 and 303.323; or

(ii) As appropriate, the provision of services, in accordance with § 303.342(a) or § 303.345.

(2) The procedures required in paragraph (b)(1) of this section must--

(i) Provide for an effective method of making referrals by primary referral sources;

(ii) Ensure that referrals are made no more than two working days after a child has been identified; and

(iii) Include procedures for determining the extent to which primary referral sources, especially hospitals and physicians, disseminate the information, as described in § 303.320, prepared by the lead agency on the availability of early intervention services to parents of infants and toddlers with disabilities. 34 C.F.R. § 303.321(d)(1)-(2).

2.03.02 Referral Sources

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(3) As used in paragraph (d)(1) of this section, primary referral sources includes--

(i) Hospitals, including prenatal and postnatal care facilities;

(ii) Physicians;

(iii) Parents;

(iv) Day care programs;

(v) Local educational agencies;

(vi) Public health facilities;

(vii) Other social service agencies; and

(viii) Other health care providers.

34 C.F.R. § 303.321(d)(3).

2.03.03 Appointment of Service Coordinator

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(1) Once the public agency receives a referral, it shall appoint a service coordinator as soon as possible. 34 C.F.R. § 303.321(e)(1).

(a) The team developing the IFSP under § 125A.32 must select a service coordinator to carry out service coordination activities on an interagency basis. Service coordination must actively promote a family's capacity and competency to identify, obtain, coordinate, monitor, and evaluate resources and services to meet the family's needs.

Service coordination activities include:

(1) coordinating the performance of evaluations and assessments;

(2) facilitating and participating in the development, review, and evaluation of individualized family service plans;

(3) assisting families in identifying available service providers;

(4) coordinating and monitoring the delivery of available services;

(5) informing families of the availability of advocacy services;

(6) coordinating with medical, health, and other service providers;

(7) facilitating the development of a transition plan at least 90 days before the time the child is no longer eligible for early intervention services, if appropriate;

(8) managing the early intervention record and submitting additional information to the local primary agency at the time of periodic review and annual evaluations; and

(9) notifying a local primary agency when disputes between agencies impact service delivery required by an IFSP.

(b) A service coordinator must be knowledgeable about children and families receiving services under this section, requirements of state and federal law, and services available in the interagency early childhood intervention system. Minn. Stat. § 125A.33.