EARLY IDENTIFICATION STRATEGY.

(a) The department shall develop and implement a statewide strategy for:

(1) the early identification of children under three years of age with developmental delay;

(2) improving the early identification of children under three years of age with developmental delay in populations at risk of developmental delay, through measures such as:

(A) targeting at-risk populations and appropriate geographical regions; and

(B) monitoring the performance of providers of services authorized under this chapter in identifying those children; and

(3) the coordination of programs with other agencies serving children with developmental delay, including the coordination of policy issues that affect children with developmental delay who are three years of age or older.

(b) The strategy must include plans to:

(1) incorporate, strengthen, and expand similar existing local efforts;

(2) incorporate and coordinate screening services currently provided through a public agency;

(3) establish a liaison with primary referral sources, including hospitals, physicians, public health facilities, and day-care facilities, to encourage referrals of children with developmental delay; and

(4) provide active leadership in addressing issues affecting the effectiveness of services for children with developmental delay, including issues such as the provision of respite care and development of incentives to encourage provision of respite care by providers of services authorized under this chapter.