Section 875-301 - RequirementsA Statewide system of coordinated, comprehensive, multidisciplinary, interagency programs shall be established and maintained by the Department of Health, the Department of Public Welfare and the Department of Education to provide appropriate early intervention services to all handicapped infants, toddlers and their families and to eligible young children. The system shall include the following minimum components:
(1) Compatible definitions of the term "developmental delay" shall be promulgated and adopted by the Department of Public Welfare, the Department of Health and the Department of Education, with review and comment of the council under section 106(f)(1) . The definition shall provide for the continuity of program services and shall be used in implementing programs under this act.(2) An assurance that appropriate early intervention services are available to all eligible handicapped infants, toddlers and their families by September 1, 1991, and to all eligible young children by July 1, 1991.(3) A timely, comprehensive, multidisciplinary evaluation of the functioning of each handicapped infant, toddler and eligible young child and the needs of the families to assist appropriately in the development of the handicapped infant, toddler and eligible young child.(4) For all handicapped infants, toddlers and their families, an IFSP in accordance with Part H, including case management services in accordance with the service plan.(5) For each eligible young child, an IEP in accordance with Part B.(6) A comprehensive child-find system, including a system for making referrals to service providers that includes timelines and provides for the participation by primary referral sources.(7) A public awareness program focusing on early identification of handicapped infants, toddlers and eligible young children.(8) A central directory, which includes early intervention services, resources and experts available in this Commonwealth and research and demonstration projects being conducted in this Commonwealth.(9) A comprehensive system of personnel development and policies and procedures relating to the establishment and maintenance of standards to ensure that personnel necessary to carry out this act are appropriately and adequately prepared and trained.(10) A procedure for securing timely reimbursement of funds.(11) Procedural safeguards with respect to programs under this act.(12) A system for compiling data on the numbers of handicapped infants, toddlers and their families and eligible young children in need of appropriate early intervention services; the number of infants, toddlers and their families and eligible young children served; and the types of services provided.(13) A system of program standards evaluation and compliance.(14) An exit criteria, which provides procedures for a child to exit from early intervention services. This exit plan must address both the needs of the child who has attained age of beginners as well as the child who, at any age between birth and age of beginners, no longer meets the eligibility criteria. If a child has been successful in obtaining age-appropriate behavior and abilities, the fact that the child participated in early intervention services may not be communicated to the school district unless the parent so chooses, nor may it be considered as a rationale for placement in public school age special education classes. If the child does not meet exit criteria and the child's IEP or IFSP demonstrates that the child will benefit from services which can be provided only through special education, nothing in this act shall prevent that placement. In either case, transition services shall be provided to the child and the child's parents.(15) A system for the provision of services to children from birth to age two, inclusive, which are in compliance with Part H.(16) A system for the provision of services to children three years of age to age of beginners which is in compliance with Part B, this act and regulations and standards.1990, Dec. 19, P.L. 1372, No. 212, § 301.