Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 13A - STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION › Subtitle 13 - MARYLAND INFANTS AND TODDLERS PROGRAM › Chapter 13A.13.01 - Provision of Early Intervention Services to Infants and Toddlers and Their Families › Section 13A.13.01.07 - Development and Review of the IFSP

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. The initial meeting to develop an IFSP for a child evaluated for the first time and determined to be eligible shall be conducted within the 45 days of the referral consistent with 34 CFR §
										303.310 and Regulation .05 of this chapter.
B. Maryland IFSP Process.
(1) The Maryland Infants and Toddlers Program shall provide each local lead agency electronic access to the Maryland IFSP.
(2) Each local lead agency shall:
(a) Use the Maryland IFSP, consistent with 34 CFR §
												303.344; and
(b) Ensure the development of a child's initial IFSP, in accordance with §A of this regulation, at an IFSP team meeting unless:
(i) The child or parent is unavailable to complete the screening, the initial evaluation, the initial assessment of the child and family, or the initial IFSP due to exceptional family circumstances; or
(ii) The parent has not provided consent for the screening, the initial evaluation or the initial assessment of the child despite documented, repeated attempts by the local lead agency or EIS provider to obtain parental consent.
(3) In the event the circumstances described in §B(2)(b) of this regulations exist, the local lead agency shall:
(a) Document in the child's early intervention record the exceptional family circumstances or repeated attempts by the local lead agency or EIS provider to obtain parental consent;
(b) Complete the screening, the initial evaluation, the initial assessment, and the initial IFSP meeting as soon as possible after the documented exceptional family circumstances described in §B(2)(b) of this regulation no longer exist or parental consent is obtained for the initial evaluation and initial assessment of the child;
(c) Develop and implement an interim IFSP to the extent appropriate and consistent with §B of this regulation;
(d) Provide for the signature of the parent and other parties as required on the Maryland IFSP document;
(e) Ensure that early intervention services are provided consistent with 34 CFR §§
												303.13(a)(8), 303.26, and 303.344:
(i) In natural environments, including the home and community settings in which children without disabilities participate, to the maximum extent appropriate; or
(ii) In a setting other than the natural environment that is most appropriate, as determined by the IFSP Team, only when early intervention services cannot be achieved satisfactorily in a natural environment;
(f) Implement the EIS as specified in the IFSP as soon as possible, but not later than 30 days from the date of parent consent, except as provided under 34 CFR §
												303.345;
(g) Ensure the provision of service coordination to an eligible child and the child's family, consistent with 34 CFR §§
												303.12 and 303.31, that includes the:
(i) Designation of a service coordinator from the profession most immediately relevant to the child's or family's needs, or who is otherwise qualified to carry out all applicable responsibilities; and
(ii) Assignment of responsibility for the implementation of the IFSP and coordination with other agencies and persons; and
(h) Identify the actions to be taken to support the transition of children receiving early intervention services to preschool or other appropriate services, consistent with 34 CFR §§
												303.209, 303.344(h), and Regulation .09 of this chapter.