Virginia Law

A. Each early intervention service listed on a child's IFSP shall begin as soon as possible but no more than 30 days from the date the parent signs the IFSP unless the IFSP team decides on and documents the reasons for a later start date to meet the individual needs of the child and family. The 30-day timeline does not apply to delivery of an assistive technology device, which must be secured as soon as possible after the parent signs the IFSP.

B. Early intervention supports and services shall be provided only by certified early intervention service practitioners.

C. The service coordinator shall be responsible for the following:

1. Assisting parents of children with disabilities in obtaining access to needed early intervention services and other services identified in the IFSP, including making referrals to providers for needed services and scheduling appointments for children and their families;

2. Coordinating the provision of early intervention services and other services, such as educational, social, and medical services that are not provided for diagnostic or evaluative purposes, that the child needs or are being provided;

3. Conducting referral and other activities to assist families in identifying available early intervention service providers;

4. Coordinating, facilitating, and monitoring delivery of early intervention services required to ensure the services are provided in a timely manner;

5. Conducting follow-up activities to determine that appropriate early intervention services are being provided;

6. If the child has Medicaid or FAMIS:

a. Documenting in a contact note the family's preferred method of contact (i.e., face-to-face, phone, email, or text) for the family contacts that are required every three months and any change in the family's preferred method of contact;

b. Making at least one direct contact with the family every three calendar months, beginning no later than the month after the initial IFSP is signed, with the method of contact determined by the family; and

c. Requesting completion of a health status report by the child's physician every six months.

D. Early intervention service providers shall deliver services in accordance with the IFSP and make a good faith effort to assist each eligible child in achieving the outcomes in the child's IFSP.

E. Early intervention sessions canceled by the provider or missed due to a holiday shall be made up as quickly as possible unless the parent declines a make-up session.

F. Parents may request to change their early intervention service provider at any time by notifying their service coordinator.