Programs
Early Intervention
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Autism
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Head and Spinal Cord Injuries
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Service Coordination
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Residential Program
At-Risk Policy Clarification
May 19,2010
With all the changes regarding early intervention services to the At-Risk group of children,
whether implemented or rescinded, I thought it may be helpful to note a couple of policy
clarifications.
When the DDSN Consumer Assessment Team (CAT) evaluates children ages three (3) to six (6)
years for eligibility, they will rule out categories of intellectual disability, related disability,
traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury and similar disability before considering the at-risk
category. As a reminder, the DDSN criteria for the At-Risk category requires significant
documented delays in three (3) or more areas of development or an approved diagnosis
confirmed by a medical professional with significant documented delays in two (2) areas of
development. The developmental assessments (s) conducted by the early interventionist, along
with social information and medical records as applicable, should suffice to determine eligibility
under the At-Risk category.
Children in the At-Risk category are eligible only for early intervention services which includes
both family training and service coordination: they are not eligible for any other service from
DDSN including Level I or II service coordination. Once family training is no longer medically
necessary based on the results of the developmental assessment (i.e., CBAs), the child must be
transitioned to IDEA Part B, or other services, as appropriate, and his/her case closed at DDSN.
There are instances when CAT places a longer timeframe for eligibility under the At-Risk
category than the timeframe the child is eligible to receive early intervention services. For
example, CAT establishes an eligibility timeframe of up to the child's sixth (6th
) birthday while
the developmental assessment indicates family training is no longer medically necessary. In such
cases, the early interventionist will explain to the family that the child no longer qualifies for
DDSN services and transition the child and family to other services as appropriate. They will
also explain to the family that should the child's condition change, they can re-apply for DDSN
services at any time.
More than 4,000 children in South Carolina need extra care from birth to age 5 to help them learn and grow. In other words they need Early Intervention.
Early Intervention is a family directed program that provides services designed to intervene at the early stages of an infant's or toddler's development to help them to reach their developmental milestones. There is no cost to families for early intervention services, regardless of income.
Your child may need early intervention, if they:
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have low birth-weight, critical health or genetic condition.
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are smaller in size and weigh less than other children of the same age.
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don't respond or make few sounds.
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do not hear or see well.
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aren't walking by 15 months of age.
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have trouble getting along with others or learning things on their own.
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if you believe that your child is not growing or learning as they should be.
What to expect.
The Richland/Lexington Disabilities and Special Needs (DSN) Board offers specialized services for BabyNet through Step Ahead. BabyNet may link your family to our agency, or you may call our agency and we will link you to BabyNet.
Parents know their children best, and they are their first and most important teachers. Your family has the right to choose how your child learns, lives and plays. We'll help your family build on its strengths to help your child enjoy a meaningful, independent life.
Our success is measured by the results gained in your child's life and by your satisfaction.
Putting your goals into action.
We offer each family an early interventionist to put their goals into action.
The interventionist helps your child reach goals that you feel are important.
They visit your home weekly to monitor your child's progress and suggest exercises, learning games and daily activities. The interventionist may also offer infant massage to stimulate muscle tone and movement.
The interventionist can link you to local, state and national support groups that offer practical knowledge, advocacy and family-to-family support.
Your family's interventionist can also guide you in applying for government benefits.
Linking your family to specialists and resources.
Step Ahead links your family to other resources in our community.
Our staff may also recommend specialists.
Step Ahead is tailored to support each family's choices and needs, and to ensure each child's health and safety.
Your family will not be charged for services. Services may be paid with private insurance, Medicaid, other public funds or community resources.
Here are some links to other websites with information on Child Development and Children with Disabilities.