| (a) The contractor must conduct an interdisciplinary,
comprehensive evaluation to determine initial and continuing eligibility
under §108.805(a)(3) and §108.807(c) of this chapter (relating
to Initial Eligibility Criteria). The contractor and the family must
determine the most appropriate setting, circumstances, time of day,
and participants for the evaluation in order to capture the most accurate
picture of the child's ability to function in their natural environment.
(b) Comprehensive evaluation must be conducted to determine:
(1) developmental delay; or
(2) conditions that interfere with the child's ability
to function in the child's environment as determined by clinical opinion.
(c) Evaluation must be conducted using a standardized
tool designated by DARS ECI and each developmental area must be evaluated
as defined in 34 CFR §303.321. When the interdisciplinary team
determines there is evidence that the results of the standardized
tool do not accurately reflect the child's development, the interdisciplinary
team must document evidence from a supplemental protocol designated
by DARS ECI. The contractor must ensure that evaluations are conducted
by qualified personnel.
(d) Evaluation must be based on informed clinical opinion
and include input from the parent or other significant people in the
child's life.
(e) The contractor must consider other evaluations
and assessments performed by outside entities when requested by the
family.
(1) The contractor must determine whether outside evaluations
and assessments:
(A) are consistent with DARS ECI policies;
(B) reflect the child's current status; and
(C) have implications for IFSP development.
(2) If the family does not allow full access to those
records or to those entities or does not consent to or does not cooperate
in evaluations or assessments to verify their findings, the contractor
may discount or disregard the other evaluations and assessments performed
by outside entities.
(f) The contractor must comply with all requirements
in Subchapter B of this chapter (relating to Procedural Safeguards
and Due Process Procedures) when conducting evaluations and assessments.
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