(a)
General.
(1) As used in this part, except in
Sec. 303.12(d)(11), service coordination means the activities carried out by a
service coordinator to assist and enable a child eligible, under this part and
the child's family to receive the rights, procedural safeguards, and services
that are authorized to be provided under the State's early intervention
program.
(2) Each child eligible
under this part and the child's family must be provided, with one service
coordinator who is responsible for-
(i)
Coordinating all services across agency lines; and
(ii) Serving as the single point of contact
in helping parents to obtain the services and assistance they need.
(3) Service coordination is an
active, ongoing process that involves-
(i)
Assisting parents of eligible children in gaining access to the early
intervention services and other services identified in the individualized
family service plan;
(ii)
Coordinating the provision of early intervention services and other services
(such as medical services for other than diagnostic and evaluation purposes)
that the child needs or is being provided;
(iii) Facilitating the timely delivery of
available services; and
(iv)
Continuously seeking the appropriate services and situations necessary to
benefit the development of each child being served for the duration of the
child's eligibility.
(b) Specific service coordination activities.
Service coordination activities include-
(1)
Coordinating the performance of evaluations and assessments;
(2) Facilitating and participating in the
development, review, and evaluation, of individualized family. service
plans;
(3) Assisting families in
identifying available service providers;
(4) Coordinating and monitoring the delivery
of available services;
(5)
Informing families of the availability of advocacy services;
(6) Coordinating with medical and health
providers; and
(7) Facilitating the
development of a transition plan to preschool services, if
appropriate.
(c)
Employment and assignment of service coordinators.
(1) Service coordinators may be employed or
assigned in any way that is permitted under State law, so long as it is
consistent with the requirements of this part.
(2) A State's policies and procedures for
implementing the statewide system of early intervention services must be
designed and implemented to ensure that service coordinators are able to
effectively carry out on an interagency basis the functions and services listed
under paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section.
(d) Qualifications of service coordinators.
Service coordinators must be persons who, consistent with Sec. 303.344(g), have
demonstrated knowledge and understanding about-
(1) Infants and toddlers who are eligible
under this part;
(2) Part C of the
Act and the regulations in this part; and
(3) The nature and scope of services
available under the State's early intervention program, the system of payments
for services in the State, and other pertinent information.