La. Admin. Code tit. 48 § V-2101

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024

Section V-2101 - General Administration

A. Administration

1. Communicative disorders services are administered in accordance with R.S.40:5, 17:2111,46:261-263, and 46:971-972.

2. These services include speech, language, and hearing screening and follow-up testing necessary for presumptive diagnosis and appropriate referral for rehabilitation. Services provided are planned to ensure coordination with other associated federal, state, and local programs such as EPSDT, Handicapped Children's Services, Developmental Disabilities, Department of Education, Head Start, and local community service centers for the purpose of:

a. eliminating duplication of services resulting in cost effective operations;

b. maintain effective communications between disciplines working in respective agencies and programs for the benefit of clients served; and

c. ensure easy access to services provided across agencies and programs and expedite referrals for timely and comprehensive follow-up care.

B. Eligibility. Any child from birth to 21 years of age residing in Louisiana is eligible to receive program services.

C. Program Service Priorities and Target Populations

1. Priority services are directed toward the following populations:

a. infants, preschoolers, and kindergarteners for purposes of prevention and early detection;

b. children in geographic areas of the state where communicative disorders services are inaccessible or virtually nonexistent;

c. children from low income families who have limited access to private sector services.

d. other school age children in grades 1, 3, 7, and 11 in accordance with 1975 national testing guidelines recommended by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

2. Program service priorities and target populations may be modified to conform with the degree of approved funding.

D. Purposes

1. Prevention, early detection, diagnosis, and timely referral for follow up care of children in Louisiana with medically and/or educationally significant speech, language, and hearing problems which may impede normal growth and development.

2. To enhance public awareness of early warning signs of speech, language, and hearing problems which may be developing in children.

3. To facilitate referrals for preventive services so that early detection, diagnosis, and referral for rehabilitation will be made.

E. Access to Screening Services. Avenues of access to communicative disorders services are as follows:

1. appearing at health unit in person and requesting services;

2. direct referral from physician or nurse conducting other parish health unit child health clinics;

3. written referral and any associated medical information from a physician in the private sector;

4. Written referral and associated supportive audiological test results from local community based private and nonprofit service centers;

5. referral from school personnel with documented screening results attached; and

6. referral with appropriate documented screening results by program personnel.

La. Admin. Code tit. 48, § V-2101

Promulgated by the Department of Health and Human Resources, Office of Preventive and Public Health Services, LR 13:246 (April 1987).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 40:5; 17:2111; 46:261-263 and 46:971-972.