Purpose
Determining Eligibility by Evaluation
- Evaluation is one method by which Part C eligibility is determined.
- Per Part C law, PIC determines eligibility by using an Anchor tool that offers age equivalents, if the child is not eligible by diagnosis. Providers are encouraged to supplement the IDA with additional tools as appropriate—these can also be done during subsequent home visits
- Evaluation helps determine if there is a 50% delay in one or more areas of the child’s development
- Identify the child’s skills that seem to be emerging
- Share information with the family and discharge from the eligibility process or enroll and ready for Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) meeting.
- Provide written prior notice for the IFSP meeting
Practice
Eligibility is determined by developmental evaluation that results in a 50% delay, medical diagnosis, or by clinical opinion (see guidance on medical diagnosis/established condition and clinical opinion).
Family Engagement is ensured throughout the process when we:
- Use evaluation procedures that ensure collaboration among the family and providers, including supporting the family to participate in the way they choose
- Give equal weight to the family’s observations and reports about their child’s behaviors, learning and development
- Reflect with the family about observations of the child’s behavior, summarize results, clarify and confirm that the family understands the process and results and record the findings.
PIC will complete an evaluation with the family and child. This may be completed when:
- Two providers attend an evaluation meeting using the IDA, if available, use the original IDA from first eligibility evaluation.
- Child is a transfer from another ILP and current evaluation information is available.
If the child is determined eligible for services:
- After completing the evaluation visit, both the primary and the secondary provider will complete an Individual Evaluation report in RainTree (see step-by-step instructions below).
- The primary service provider will write the Functional Evaluation report.
- Complete the Functional Evaluation and share document indicating that their child is eligible.
- Provide Prior Written Notice.
- Prepare for the Initial Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) by
- Asking the family whom they would like to invite to the IFSP meeting
- Scheduling time convenient for the family
- Describing the IFSP process (a dynamic plan, developed by the team that guides the provision of family-centered early intervention supports and services based upon the changing needs of the child and family)
- Explain that the family is an equal member of the early intervention team. Providers offer recommendations for services, families can opt for or decline services
If the child is not eligible by Part C or is Within Normal Limits, or do not Qualify:
- The primary service provider will:
- Complete the Functional Evaluation
- Complete the Eligibility Determination signature page with family.
- Support the family with additional information if appropriate (information on normal developmental milestones, etc.)
- Provide an e-copy or hard copy of the Functional Evaluation for the parents; admin can mail or at a follow-up visit, if scheduled, and to the physician or other information sharing that has been requested
- The second discipline attending the evaluation will complete an Evaluation in Raintree (see step-by-step instructions below)
- The PSP will access this information to include and complete the Functional Evaluation