Coordinated standards and procedures

§ 2551. Coordinated standards and procedures. 1. The state early intervention service agencies shall jointly establish coordinated standards and procedures for:

(a) early intervention services and evaluations;

(b) child find system and public awareness program; and

(c) programs and services, operating under the approval authority of any state early intervention service agency, which include any early intervention services or evaluations.

2. Such coordinated standards and procedures shall be designed to:

(a) enhance the objectives of this title, including the provision of services in natural environments to the maximum extent possible;

(b) minimize duplicative and inconsistent regulations and practices among the state early intervention service agencies;

(c) conform, to the extent appropriate, to existing standards and procedures of state early intervention service agencies; and

(d) ensure that persons who provide early intervention services are trained, or can demonstrate proficiency in principles of early childhood development.

3. Coordinated standards and procedures may include guidelines suggesting appropriate early intervention services for enumerated disabilities that are most frequently found in eligible children.

4. Coordinated standards and procedures may encompass or allow for agreements among two or more such agencies.

5. Any standards promulgated by regulation or otherwise by any state early intervention service agency governing early intervention services or evaluations shall be consistent with the coordinated standards and procedures.

6. In the event of an inability to agree upon any coordinated standard or procedure, any state early intervention service agency may refer the issue to the early intervention coordinating council for its advice with respect to the standard or procedure which the council shall provide to the early intervention service agencies affected by the issue. The commissioner, after obtaining such advice, shall adopt an appropriate standard or procedure, provided however, that the commissioner may adopt an interim standard or procedure while awaiting such advice.

7. The early intervention service agencies, in consultation with the director of the budget, shall, where appropriate, require as a condition of approval that evaluators and providers of early intervention services participate in the medical assistance program.

8. The coordinated standards and procedures shall permit such evaluators and providers of services to rely on subcontracts or other written agreements with qualified professionals, or agencies employing such professionals, provided that such professionals perform their responsibilities in conformance with regulations of the commissioner and that providers and evaluators fully disclose any such arrangements, including any financial or personal interests, on all applications for approval.

9. Coordinated standards and procedures may identify circumstances and procedures under which an evaluator or service provider may be disqualified under this title, including procedures whereby a municipality may request such disqualification.