LIS

Administrative Code

Creating a Report: Check the sections you'd like to appear in the report, then use the "Create Report" button at the bottom of the page to generate your report. Once the report is generated you'll then have the option to download it as a pdf, print or email the report.

Virginia Administrative Code
Title 12. Health
Agency 35. Department of Behavioral Health And Developmental Services
Chapter 225. Requirements for Virginia Early Intervention System
11/5/2024

12VAC35-225-410. Administrative complaint.

A. An individual or organization, including those from another state, shall have the right to file an administrative complaint with the department alleging that the local lead agency, an early intervention service provider, or participating agency has violated a requirement of Part C.

B. The department shall widely disseminate to parents and other interested individuals, including parent training and information centers, protection and advocacy agencies, and other appropriate entities the procedures for filing and resolving administrative complaints.

C. An administrative complaint shall be made in writing to the department, allege a violation that occurred not more than one year prior to the date the complaint is received by the department, and include the following:

1. A statement that the department, local lead agency, or early intervention service provider has violated a requirement of Part C;

2. The facts on which the statement is based;

3. The signature and contact information for the complainant; and

4. If alleging violations with respect to a specific child, (i) the name and address of the child; (ii) the name of the early intervention service provider serving the child; (iii) a description of the problem, including facts related to the problem; and (iv) a proposed resolution to the problem to the extent known and available to the complainant if there is one at the time the complaint is filed.

D. The party filing the complaint shall forward a copy of the complaint to the local lead agency or the early intervention service provider serving the child at the same time the party files the complaint with the department.

E. Within 60 days after a complaint is received, the department shall:

1. Carry out an independent onsite investigation, if the department determines that an investigation is necessary;

2. Give the complainant the opportunity to submit additional information, either orally or in writing, about the allegations in the complaint;

3. Provide the local lead agency, other participating agency, or early intervention service provider with an opportunity to respond to the complaint within 10 days by providing a proposal to resolve the complaint and an opportunity to voluntarily engage in mediation;

4. Review all relevant information and make an independent determination as to whether the local lead agency, other participating agency, or early intervention service provider is violating a requirement of Part C; and

5. Issue a written decision to the complainant that addresses each allegation in the complaint and contains findings of fact and conclusions and the reasons for the final decision.

The final decision may include recommendations for technical assistance, negotiations, and corrective actions to achieve compliance, as well as timelines for completion.

If, in resolving an administrative complaint, the department finds a failure to provide appropriate early intervention services then the final decision shall address the corrective actions appropriate to address the needs of the child who is the subject of the complaint and his family, such as compensatory services or monetary reimbursement, and appropriate future provision of services for all children with disabilities and their families.

F. The 60-day timeline for resolving an administrative complaint may be extended only if exceptional circumstances exist with respect to a particular complaint or the parent (or individual or organization) and the local lead agency, other participating agency, or early intervention service provider involved in the complaint agree to extend the timeline to engage in mediation.

G. If the administrative complaint received by the department is also the subject of a due process hearing or contains multiple issues of which one or more are part of that due process hearing, the department shall set aside any part of the complaint that is being addressed in the due process hearing until the conclusion of the hearing. Any issue in the complaint that is not part of the due process hearing shall be resolved using the 60-day time limit and the administrative complaint procedures.

H. If an issue is raised in a complaint that has previously been decided in a due process hearing involving the same parties, the hearing decision shall be binding, and the department shall inform the complainant to that effect.

I. A complaint alleging the local lead agency's, other participating agency's, or early intervention service provider's failure to implement a due process hearing decision shall be resolved by the department.

J. A final decision of the department pursuant to this section shall be a final case decision that may be appealed pursuant to the Virginia Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq. of the Code of Virginia).

Statutory Authority

§ 2.2-5304 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 32, Issue 10, eff. February 27, 2016.

Website addresses provided in the Virginia Administrative Code to documents incorporated by reference are for the reader's convenience only, may not necessarily be active or current, and should not be relied upon. To ensure the information incorporated by reference is accurate, the reader is encouraged to use the source document described in the regulation.

As a service to the public, the Virginia Administrative Code is provided online by the Virginia General Assembly. We are unable to answer legal questions or respond to requests for legal advice, including application of law to specific fact. To understand and protect your legal rights, you should consult an attorney.