Referrals and linkages from Medical Homes to the Early Intervention System in Washington State

1. Early Supports for Infants and Toddlers Program . Referrals and linkages from Medical Homes to the Early Intervention System in Washington State May 10, 2013 Karen Walker, Program Administrator Kathy Blodgett, Program Consultant

2. Linkages and Referral • State Linkages • Local Linkages • Referral Process • Public Awareness Outreach Materials Kids' Potential, Our Purpose

3. Formal Linkages • State Agency - DEL is required to have an agreement with the state partners who have a financial responsibility for the provision of early intervention: • Department of Health • Department of Social & Health Services • Department of Services for the Blind • Health Care Authority • Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction Kids' Potential, Our Purpose

4. State Interagency Agreement • Purpose • Facilitate the implementation and funding of Washington’s state early intervention (EI) system • The State Agency Interagency Agreement is intended to ensure a system is in place and that it is -- • Comprehensive • Coordinated • Multidisciplinary • Interagency Kids' Potential, Our Purpose

5. State Interagency Agreement (SIA) • The SIA Identifies Each Agency’s Role in: • Early Identification • Developmental Screening • Child Find • Referral procedures to appropriate agency (within 7 days after possible delay has been identified) Kids' Potential, Our Purpose

6. State Interagency Agreement (SIA) • DEL/ESIT is required to engage in public awareness, coordinated child find, public awareness and referral efforts with all its state agency partners • By contract, Local Lead Agencies engage in public awareness, coordinated child find, and primary referral source outreach efforts with community partners Kids' Potential, Our Purpose

7. Local Lead Agencies (LLAs) • Establishes Community Linkages • Local Interagency Agreements assist in implementing the local early identification, screening, child find and referral processes • DEL/ESIT contracts with LLAs emphasize their public awareness/outreach, and child find obligations, including outreach to the medical community through the work of the LLAs/Family Resources Coordinators (FRCs) Kids' Potential, Our Purpose

8. Local Lead Agencies (LLAs) • Establishes Community Linkages • LLAs/FRCs coordinate local child find, public awareness, and screening activities and receive the referrals for entry into EI • FRCs may assist in linking back to a child’s primary care provider as part of the referral process and good practice Kids' Potential, Our Purpose

9. How to Make a Referral to EI • There are two ways to find a Family Resources Coordinator (FRC): • Call the Family Health Hotline at 1-800-322-2588 • Lead FRC identified based on family residence • Lead FRC name/phone number provided • Go to the ESIT website at www.del.wa.gov/esit and click on ESIT Contacts (see Top Downloads in the blue column on the right) Kids' Potential, Our Purpose

10. Referral Process • Any agency, organization or individual can refer to early intervention • A referral must be made to the Lead Family Resources Coordinator located in the county where the family resides • Regulations require referral occur as soon as possible and no later than 7 days after identification– see ESIT referral letter Kids' Potential, Our Purpose

11. Primary Referral Sources • Always refer if unsure – discourage following a “wait and see” approach • Any agency, organization or individual can refer to early intervention • Physicians – a physician’s referral is not required • Parents – parents can self-refer • Child care and other early learning programs • Public health facilities Kids' Potential, Our Purpose

12. Post-Referral Procedures • Upon receiving a referral, the FRC’s must - • Share Part C Procedural Safeguards to the Part C program • Meet with the family to gather any pertinent information, including medical, evaluation or other records • Coordinate the Part C evaluation/assessment process to determine Part C eligibility Kids' Potential, Our Purpose

13. Post-Referral Procedures • Upon receiving a referral, the FRC’s must - • If child is determined eligible, facilitates the development of the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP), facilitates the IFSP process and meeting • Assists families in gaining access to early intervention services • Coordinates timely service provision • Facilitates the development of a transition plan to preschool or other services if appropriate Kids' Potential, Our Purpose

14. Public Awareness and Outreach • DEL/ESIT will provide freepublic awareness and outreach materials in multiple languages • To request printed materials, call your county’s Public Awareness contact • The name of each county’s Public Awareness contact is in the ESIT Contacts Directory along with FRC and other county specific information • To obtain a PDF copy of materials, go to the ESIT website, www.del.wa.gov/esit under Publications and Documents Kids' Potential, Our Purpose

15. Discussion Questions • What is working well? • What are the challenges/issues? • What would improve the referral processes between physicians, clinics, other medical professionals and early intervention? • Do you think health care reform will affect the referral process? Kids' Potential, Our Purpose

16. ESIT or Other Resources • Provider referral form • Consent to exchange information form that meets FERPA and HIPPA requirements • ESIT Referral Letter to Providers • Other resources to share with participants? Kids' Potential, Our Purpose

17. Questions? Karen, Walker, Program Administrator, (360) 725-3516 Kathy Blodgett, Program Consultant, (360) 725-3520 ESIT WEBSITE: www.del.wa.gov/esit Kids' Potential, Our Purpose