STATE OF NEVADA

DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES

MICHAEL J. WILLDEN

WELFARE DIVISION

Director

Head Start State Collaboration

***

680 S. Rock Blvd.

NANCY KATHRYN FORD

KENNY C. GUINN

Reno, Nevada 89502

Administrator

Governor

(775) 448-5254 - Fax (775) 448-5251

Terms

Early Head Start

Nevada Early Intervention Services

Assessment

The ongoing procedures used by appropriate qualified personnel throughout the period of the child's eligibility to identify:

(i) The child's unique strengths and needs and the services appropriate to meet those needs; and

(ii) The resources, priorities, and concerns of the family and the supports and services necessary to enhance the family's capacity to meet the developmental needs of their child.

The ongoing procedures used by appropriate

qualified personnel throughout the period of a

child's eligibility to identify:

(i) The child's unique strengths and needs and the services appropriate to meet those needs; and

(ii) The resources, priorities, and concerns of the family and the supports and services necessary to enhance the family's capacity to meet the developmental needs of their infant or toddler with a disability.

Screening

CFR 1304.20 (b) (1) In collaboration with each child's parent, and within 45 calendar days of the child's entry into the program, grantee and delegate agencies must perform or obtain linguistically and age appropriate developmental, sensory and behavioral screenings of motor, language, social, cognitive, perceptual, and emotional skills (see 45 CFR 1308.6(b)(3) for additional information). To the greatest extent possible, these screenings must be sensitive to the child's cultural background.

(2) Grantee and delegate agencies must obtain direct guidance from a mental health or child development professional on how to use the findings to address identified needs.

(3) Grantee and delegate agencies must utilize multiple sources of information on all aspects of each child's development and behavior, including input from family members, teachers, and other relevant staff who are familiar with the child's typical behavior.

(1) A child is referred to Nevada Early Intervention Services through Universal Referral/Child Find. At that point it is determined through parent interview if the child is clearly a Part C referral, or a Child Find Referral.

(2) A Child Find referral is scheduled for a screening using the ASQ.

(3) If screening indicates concerns, the child is referred to Part C for further evaluation and determination of eligibility.

(4) If screening indicates no concerns the family will be referred to appropriate community services and resources.

(5) If the child is at-risk, but not eligible for Part C, the child may participate in periodic screening.

(6) Parents can request an evaluation even if the screening determines no concerns.

Natural environment

To the maximum extent appropriate to the needs of the child, early intervention services must be provided in natural environments, including the home and community settings in which children without disabilities participate.

Infants and toddlers with disabilities

Infants and toddlers with disabilities are those from birth to three years, as identified under the Part C Program (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) in their State.

Children under three years of age, that exhibit a minimum of 50% delay of his/her chronological age in the area listed below, or a minimum of 25% delay of his/her chronological age in two of the areas listed below. The delay(s) must be identified in one or more of the following developmental areas: cognitive; physical, including vision and hearing; communication; social or emotional; or adaptive.

-OR-

Children under three years of age that have a diagnosed physical or mental condition that has a high probability of resulting in developmental delays.

Early intervention services

CFR 1304.20 (f)(2)(ii) Enrolled families with infants and toddlers suspected of having a disability are promptly referred to the local early intervention agency designated by the State Part C plan to coordinate any needed evaluations, determine eligibility for Part C services, and coordinate the development of an IFSP for children determined to be eligible under the guidelines of that State's program.

Services that:

(1) Are designed to meet the needs of each child eligible under this part and the needs of the family related to enhancing the child's development;

(2) Are selected in collaboration with the parents;

(3) Are provided

1. Under public supervision;
2. By qualified personnel;
3. In conformity with an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP);
4. At no cost; and

(4) Meet the standards of the state, including the requirements of this part.

Types of services provided: Assistive technology device; audiology; family training, counseling, and home visits; health services; medical services; nursing services; nutrition services; occupational therapy; physical therapy; psychological services; service coordination; social work; special instruction; speech-language pathology; transportation and related costs; and vision services.

ACF

EHS

NEIS

Nevada Part C

Onsite reviews will be conducted every three years - include monitoring of the effectiveness of local agreements.

Annual self-assessment will include review of disability services and Part C partnerships.

Internal self-review will be conducted annually and will include reviewing EHS partnerships.

Comprehensive reviews occur every three years.

Develop written state agreements in conjunction with Part C.

Develop written local agreements in conjunction with NEIS North and South.

Develop written local agreements in conjunction with local EHS programs.

Develop written state agreements in conjunction with ACF.

Provide EHS programs and Part C with Performance Standards.

Local EHS and NEIS will meet a minimum of once annually to provide updates on regulations.

Provide EHS programs with EI regulations.

Local programs will provide copies of written local agreements to the State Part C, HS Collaboration Office and Region IX and Region XI contracted T/TA providers.

ACF

EHS

NEIS

Nevada Part C

ACF will fund selected EHS grantees in accordance with CFR 1302 contingent on Congressional appropriation, satisfactory monitoring reviews and successful annual refunding applications. Funds are to provide comprehensive services as specified in CFR 1304-1311 and the Head Start Act, as amended October 27, 1998

Local programs will inform each other of program services, activities and resources, such as: child and family support services, training opportunities, lending libraries, and facilities and meeting rooms.

Will provide funding to NEIS for early intervention services.

ACF

EHS

NEIS

Nevada Part C

1304.20(c.)(4)

303.321(c.)

Monitor grantees for compliance with required timelines for screening and referral according to CFR 1304.

Will perform or obtain a screening (developmental and sensory) on all children within 45 days of enrollment into the program and will, with written parent consent, refer promptly to Part C, if appropriate.

Once referred, the Part C evaluation and assessment process will be implemented and completed within 45 days.

Monitor local programs to ensure compliance with Part C IDEA regulations.

Provide Part C with list of EHS programs and contact information.

Programs will invite NEIS to provide input on the involvement of grantee referral procedures.

Programs will share their eligibility, enrollment, and referral processes with the NEIS.

HS staff will inform the family about EI services and will refer them to NEIS

Provide EHS with information on the local child find procedures.

Local Part C providers will refer children to EHS based on knowledge of eligibility criteria.

Provide EHS programs with list of NEIS contact information.

· Through the technical assistance contractor, provide support for the development of local memoranda of understanding between EHS and Part C to facilitate collaborative referral processes.

· Through the technical assistance contractor, assist EHS grantees to assess and plan for training and technical assistance in the areas of screening and referral.

Local programs will access T/TA as necessary.

Provide technical assistance to EHS and NEIS, and promote collaborative referral processes between EHS and NEIS.

ACF

EHS

NEIS

Nevada Part C

Inform Part C of any changes in Performance Standards or regulations, which would impact EHS eligibility.

Local agreement will define the EHS role in the process of referral, evaluation, and follow up.

Provide information to EHS on the referral, evaluation, and eligibility process, including the 45 day timeline, in the local MOU.

Inform EHS and the contracted T/TA provider of any changes in early intervention eligibility that may affect EHS.

ACF

EHS

NEIS

Part C

· Through the technical assistance contractor, provide support for the development of local memoranda of understanding between EHS and Part C to facilitate EHS participation in the IFSP processes.

· Through the technical assistance contractor, assist EHS grantees to assess and plan for training and technical assistance in the areas of screening and referral.

· Notify parents of the right to invite EHS and others to the IFSP.

· For continuity of services, encourage parents to invite EHS.

· Obtain signed parent consent for release of information between EHS and NEIS.

· Encourage incorporation of other existing family plans.

· EHS/NEIS will help facilitate the family to share strengths and needs, as well as the follow-up medical plan at the initial and subsequent IFSP meetings.

· The Family Partnership Agreement and the IFSP will be coordinated, whenever possible, for the benefit of families.

Provide T/TA to EHS and NEIS regarding developing Individual Family Service Plans.

ACF

EHS

NEIS

Nevada Part C

· Through the technical assistance contractor, provide support for the development of local memoranda of understanding between EHS and Part C to encourage the consultative model and to facilitate collaboration and information sharing.

· Through the technical assistance contractor, assist EHS grantees to assess and plan for training and technical assistance in the areas of service delivery and coordination.

EHS, NEIS, and parents will work together to create a system for regular communication to ensure that IFSP outcomes/goals are being implemented. EHS, NEIS, and parents will develop a schedule of regular meetings to be attended by applicable parties in order to:

· Share progress.

· Update IFSP.

· Consult with identified providers, etc.

EHS and NEIS will document communications (phone calls, emails, face-to-face, fax, etc.)

Identify and implement individualized cross training as needed. (For example: feeding techniques, range of motion movements, etc.)

Encourage collaboration and information sharing

ACF

EHS

NEIS

Nevada Part C

· Through the technical assistance contractor, provide support for the development of local memoranda of understanding between EHS and Part C to facilitate collaboration and information sharing.

· Through the technical assistance contractor, assist EHS grantees to assess and plan for training and technical assistance in the areas of transition.

EHS, NEIS, and parents will work together to begin the development of the written transition plan no later than 6 months prior to the third birthday. Transition planning will include:

· All identified service providers (such as Head Start, applicable school district personnel, private providers, etc.)

· Parents rights and responsibilities

· Transfer of relevant records

· Coordination of evaluation and assessment

· Scheduling of mandated Part C 90-day meeting to discuss any services that the child may receive.

Notification of meetings will occur with a minimum of 2-week notice.

EHS will implement the transition plan as outlined in 1304.41(c.)(1-3) of the Performance Standard.

In preparation for the transition, NEIS will provide and review with parents the transition section of the Parent Handbook. In addition, NEIS will initiate and implement the 90-day meetings as required in 303.23(a)(b) of IDEA Part C regulations.  

Will provide training and technical assistance, as well as resource materials, on transition and will invite EHS and NEIS to all applicable training.

Will encourage collaboration and information sharing.

ACF

EHS

NEIS

Nevada Part C

· Through the technical assistance contractor, provide support for the development of local memoranda of understanding between EHS and Part C.

· Through the technical assistance contractor, assist EHS grantees to assess and plan for needed training and technical assistance in the areas related to services to families of infants and toddlers with disabilities.

Annually, EHS and NEIS will work together to:

· Identify common staff and parent development needs.

· Develop and provide cross training.

· Share training outcomes.

· Locate resources.

Provide training and technical assistance for local EHS programs and/or NEIS, to facilitate development of local interagency agreements/memoranda of understanding

ACF

EHS

NEIS

Nevada Part C

Provide T/TA to facilitate the resolution of disputes

Each agency will designate a contact person to work together on problems regarding the implementation of this MOU

Provide T/TA to facilitate the resolution of disputes

ACF

EHS

NEIS

Nevada Part C

Is responsible for monitoring EHS programs and activities to ensure that the program complies with regulations

Each agency will share their mandated policies and procedures to include such items as:

· Confidentiality

· Parent Consent

· Parent rights and responsibilities

· Record Keeping

· Timeline

· Program and on-going monitoring, including self-assessment

Is responsible for monitoring NEIS and activities to ensure that the program complies with regulations

ACF

EHS

NEIS

Nevada Part C

· Representatives from all parties, including parents, will meet 1 year after the signing of the initial MOU to review the document. Thereafter, reviews will occur every 3 years.

· Reviews will occur, with representatives from all parties, if and/or when statutory changes occur. (eg, IDEA or HS reauthorization, etc.)

ACF

EHS

NEIS

Part C

Will incorporate MOU dissemination into T/TA contractor activities.

Develop a training and dissemination plan

Incorporate MOU dissemination into the agenda of the BEIS Managers Meeting.