ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Fifty-sixth Legislature Second Regular Session

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HB 2137: infants; toddlers; developmental delays

Sponsor: Representative Willoughby, LD 13

Committee on Health & Human Services

Overview

Requires intergovernmental agreements (IGAs) for early intervention programs and services (AzEIP) for infants and toddlers with developmental delays to include in the Initial Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) information to families on all intervention service options based on the assessed needs and outcomes for the infant or toddler.

History

Laws 1990, Chapter 220 directs the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) to serve as the lead agency for the coordination of a system of AzEIP services for infants and toddlers with developmental delays.

Under current law, the Interagency Coordinating Council for Infants and Toddlers (Council) must advise and assist DES in developing and implementing the statewide system and assist in DES in achieving the full participation, coordination and cooperation of all appropriate public agencies in Arizona. DES, the Arizona Department of Education, Arizona Department of Health Services, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System and Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and the Blind must enter into one or more IGAs to develop and implement a comprehensive, coordinated system of AzEIP services for infants and toddlers with or at risk of developmental delays and their families in accordance with federal law. The Council can assist in the development of the interagency agreements (A.R.S. § 41-2022).

Provisions

1. Instructs IGAs that are developed and implemented by DES must require that IFSPs provide information on intervention service options available to a family based on the assessed needs and outcomes for the infant or toddler, including service options that may not qualify for AzEIP. (Sec. 1)

2. Requires the family to be informed if a service option is not covered by AzEIP, in whole or in part. (Sec. 1)

3. Requires IFSPs, if the child or toddler's assessment includes therapy services, to identify all therapy services that the infant or toddler has been assessed for including occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech-language pathology. (Sec. 1)

4. Requires any information provided at the IFSP meeting for an infant or toddler identified with any level of hearing impairment to include:

a) information for technology services including hearing aids, cochlear or brainstem implants, bone-anchored hearing aids and other assistive devices; and

b) information for options for language acquisition resources, including American Sign Language, manually coded English, cued speech, speech reading and listening and spoken language. (Sec. 1)

5. Requires agencies that provide services and participate in AzEIP to use public awareness materials that include resources and information on intervention service options available to a family based on the assessed needs and outcomes for the infant or toddler, including service options that may not qualify for early intervention programs and services. (Sec. 1)

6. Directs IGAs to have a process that allows parents to choose a natural environment for services in which infants and toddlers with disabilities participate. (Sec. 1)

7. Instructs DES to create a process where a family has been referred to AzEIP can request a different service coordinator, whether the coordinator is a contractor or state employee. (Sec. 1)

8. Makes a technical change. (Sec. 1)

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                        HB 2137

Initials AG/MT          Page 0 Health & Human Services

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