Virginia Law

A. A child's medical and other records shall be used to establish initial eligibility (without conducting an evaluation for eligibility determination) if those records indicate that the child's level of functioning in one or more developmental areas constitutes a developmental delay or that the child otherwise meets the criteria for an infant or a toddler with a disability.

1. If the records document a diagnosed physical or mental condition with a high probability of resulting in developmental delay, then a certified early intervention case manager or certified early intervention professional shall complete and sign the eligibility determination form to document review of the record.

2. If the records document a developmental delay, a certified early intervention professional shall review the record to determine whether it establishes eligibility, completing and signing the eligibility determination form if it does.

B. With prior written notice and parental consent, each child under the age of three years who is referred to the early intervention system shall receive a timely, comprehensive multidisciplinary evaluation to determine eligibility unless eligibility is established under subsection A of this section.

C. Except as provided in subsection A of this section, the local lead agency shall ensure that, with parental consent, the evaluation for eligibility determination and, if the child is eligible, an assessment of the child and family and an initial IFSP meeting are completed within 45 days from the date of referral.

D. The 45-day timeline described in subsection C of this section shall not apply for any period when:

1. The child or parent is unavailable to complete the evaluation for eligibility determination, the assessments of the child and family, or the initial IFSP meeting due to exceptional family circumstances that are documented in the child's early intervention record; or

2. The parent has not provided consent for the evaluation for eligibility determination or the assessment of the child despite documented, repeated attempts by the service coordinator or other service provider, or both, to obtain parental consent.

E. In the event that circumstances described in subsection D of this section delay the 45-day timeline, the service coordinator shall ensure:

1. The exceptional family circumstances, repeated attempts to obtain parental consent, or other circumstances resulting in a delay are documented in the child's early intervention record;

2. The evaluation for eligibility determination, the assessments of the child and family, and the initial IFSP meeting are completed as soon as possible after the documented exceptional family circumstances no longer exist, parental consent is obtained, or other circumstances causing a delay no longer exist; and

3. Development of an interim IFSP, if appropriate for the child and family.