EVALUATION AND ASSESSMENT
§ 4226.61. MDE.
(a) Requirements for MDE. The county MH/MR program shall ensure that:
(1) Each child referred for evaluation receives a timely, comprehensive MDE and a family-directed assessment of the needs of the child’s family to assist in the development of the child.
(2) The initial MDE is conducted by personnel independent of service provision.
(3) An MDE is conducted for each infant or toddler with a disability at least annually.
(4) A written MDE report is provided to the parent within 30 calendar days of the MDE.
(b) Evaluation and assessment of the child.
(1) The evaluation and assessment of each referred child shall:
(i) Be conducted by personnel trained to utilize evaluation and assessment methods and procedures.
(ii) Be based on informed clinical opinion.
(iii) Include the following:
(A) A review of pertinent records related to the child’s current health status and medical history.
(B) An evaluation of the child’s level of functioning in each of the developmental areas of cognitive development; physical development, including vision and hearing; communication development; social and emotional development; and adaptive development.
(C) An assessment of the unique needs of the child in terms of each of the developmental areas in clause (B), including the identification of services appropriate to meet those needs.
(2) The annual MDE will include the participation of the family, the service coordinator, anyone whom the parent would like to invite and at least one other qualified professional.
(3) The MDE required by this subsection may be based on review and analysis of existing documentation of medical history, if the parent agrees and the qualified professionals in exercising their judgment conclude that the elements specified in paragraph (1) can be determined through such review and analysis.
(c) Family assessment.
(1) The family assessment shall be family directed and designed to determine the resources, priorities and concerns of the family and to identify the supports and services necessary to enhance the family’s capacity to meet the developmental needs of the child.
(2) A family assessment shall be voluntary on the part of the family.
(3) If a family assessment is carried out, the assessment shall:
(i) Be conducted by personnel trained to utilize assessment methods and procedures.
(ii) Be based on information provided by the family through a personal interview.
(iii) Incorporate the family’s description of its resources, priorities and concerns related to enhancing the child’s development.
(d) Timelines.
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the initial MDE of each child (including the family assessment) shall be completed within sufficient time to enable an IFSP to be developed within the 45-day time period in § 4226.24(g) (relating to comprehensive child find system).
(2) The county MH/MR program shall develop procedures to ensure that if exceptional circumstances make it impossible to complete the initial MDE, including the family assessment, within the timeline specified in paragraph (1) (for example, if a child is ill), the county MH/MR program will do the following:
(i) Document those circumstances in the child’s record.
(ii) Develop and implement an interim IFSP consistent with § 4226.76 (relating to provision of services before MDE is completed).
Cross References This section cited in 55 Pa. Code § 4226.22 (relating to eligibility for early intervention services); 55 Pa. Code § 4226.24 (relating to comprehensive child find system); 55 Pa. Code § 4226.25 (relating to at-risk children); 55 Pa. Code § 4226.26 (relating to tracking system); 55 Pa. Code § 4226.71 (relating to general); 55 Pa. Code § 4226.72 (relating to procedures for IFSP development, review and evaluation); 55 Pa. Code § 4226.73 (relating to participants in IFSP meetings and periodic reviews); 55 Pa. Code § 4226.76 (relating to provisions of services before MDE is completed); 55 Pa. Code § 4226.92 (relating to parental consent); and 55 Pa. Code § 4226.100 (relating to parental rights in due process hearings).
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