Determination of Annual Eligibility
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Governs procedures and criteria for re-establishing a child's annual eligibility for South Carolina's IDEA/Part C early intervention services; applies to Service Coordinators and Early Intervention Service (EIS) providers involved in IFSP annual reviews.
No material clinical or coverage changes in this revision.
Annual Eligibility Criteria
Annual eligibility criteria and procedures
Eligibility may be re-established based on diagnosed conditions, documented significant delays, results of state‑approved reassessments or screening tools, or established risk conditions. Follow the nested procedures for re‑determination, reassessment timelines, and outcomes.
Eligibility may be met by any of the following
- Diagnosed physical or mental condition verified by a physician that has a high probability of resulting in developmental delay (examples include chromosomal abnormalities; genetic or congenital disorders; sensory impairments; inborn errors of metabolism; disorders reflecting disturbance of the nervous system; congenital infections; severe attachment disorders; complications of prematurity; disorders secondary to exposure to toxic substances, including fetal alcohol syndrome).
- Documented significant developmental delay: present level on the annual IFSP confirms a delay of at least 25% in one or more developmental domains.
- Results from re‑administration of ASD screening tools when appropriate: M‑CHAT follow‑up interview and STAT indicate high risk for an Autism Spectrum Disorder.
- State‑approved reassessments or curriculum‑based assessments (CBA) completed by EIS providers on the child's IFSP team that support continuing eligibility; approved tools include the Hawaii Early Learning Profile and the Carolina Curriculum for Infants and Toddlers.
Special rules for children initially eligible under established risk conditions
- Children initially eligible due to an established risk condition remain eligible until age three or until the parent withdraws participation.
- Children initially eligible for prematurity must be re‑determined under the documented significant delays criteria beginning at age two (i.e., apply the 25% delay threshold starting at age two).
Procedures when records are sufficient or insufficient
- If medical and/or other records (including up‑to‑date reassessments from all EIS providers) indicate the child continues to meet state eligibility criteria, a separate reevaluation is not required; Service Coordinator will seek parent consent to update the family assessment as part of the annual IFSP.
- If available documentation is insufficient to establish ongoing eligibility, the Service Coordinator will obtain parent consent to update the child assessment and provide or arrange a curriculum‑based assessment (CBA) to determine annual eligibility.
- EIS providers must use the most recent edition of evaluation or assessment tools and ensure reassessments used for the annual IFSP were conducted within 60 days of the annual IFSP.
Outcomes and provider actions following assessment
- If the child remains eligible, proceed with the annual IFSP review and continue services per the IFSP.
- If the child is found ineligible, provide Prior Written Notice (PWN), inform the parent of the right to appeal or to re‑refer, assist the family with referrals as appropriate, complete required exit activities, and enter ECO exit reason and date into BRIDGES within 14 days of exit.
Developmental Delay Thresholds
Service Coordinator and Provider Responsibilities
Service Coordinator: consent, PWN, explain and administer state‑approved assessment; share results
Obtain parent consent, provide Prior Written Notice (PWN) of the annual eligibility evaluation, explain the purpose of the annual eligibility evaluation and how the state-approved assessment tool is administered, and administer the state-approved assessment tool using the evaluation protocol. After completion, share results with the parent and, if the parent is not satisfied, discuss the case with the assessor's supervisor.
- Ensure PWN of the annual eligibility evaluation has been provided and the parent has provided consent.
- Explain purpose and administration of the state-approved assessment tool.
- Administer the state-approved assessment tool using evaluation protocol.
- Share eligibility evaluation results with the parent.
- If parents are not satisfied with results, assessor should discuss the case with their supervisor.
Actions when child is ineligible or exits: PWN, appeal/re‑referral rights, referrals, IFSP and BRIDGES exit duties
If the child is found ineligible or exits IDEA/Part C, provide Prior Written Notice (PWN) of the annual eligibility results and inform the parent of their right to appeal or to re-refer at any time before age three; assist the family with referrals and complete required IFSP exit activities and ECO exit data entry within required timelines.
- Provide PWN of the annual eligibility results and of the parent's right to appeal or re-refer at any time before age three.
- Assist the family with referral for any services or supports the family thinks may still be needed.
- Complete an exit review of the IFSP and the ECO exit rating and new skills review with the parent and all EIS providers.
- Enter the ECO exit rating and new skills data, the appropriate exit reason, and the exit date into BRIDGES within 14 calendar days of exit.
Key Definitions
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