N.H. Admin. Code § He-M 510.10 - Administration

(a) Each area agency shall develop an agreement with FCESS programs and the family support council within the region to detail their mutual responsibilities in supporting families who are participating in FCESS.

(b) The agreement in (a) above shall:

(1) Describe the process of referral, eligibility determination, and initiation of supports and services in the area agency system;

(2) Provide for streamlined mechanisms to enable families to easily access family support services from the area agency pursuant to He-M 519;

(3) Provide for ongoing contacts between staff of the area agency and the FCESS program to ensure open communication and effective collaboration; and

(4) Provide for procedures to address issues of common concern in the region.

(c) The area agency shall develop a written agreement with the LEA that describes:

(1) Practices that will enable FCESS and LEA personnel to collaborate effectively;

(2) When and how information will be shared, including a statement of confidentiality;

(3) A process to facilitate involvement of families, FCESS staff, and LEA staff in transition conference planning activities and meetings; and

(4) Transition activities that will take place such as home and program visits, observations, and evaluations.

(d) Each area agency, in cooperation with its family support council and FCESS programs, shall document evidence of coordination with other local agencies that serve children and their families, such as:

(1) The regional offices of the New Hampshire division of public health services;

(2) Local education agencies;

(3) Visiting nurse associations;

(4) Local hospitals and medical clinics;

(5) Child care providers;

(6) Family resource centers; and

(7) DCYF.

(e) Documentation pursuant to (d) above shall include agreements, minutes of meetings, or memoranda that demonstrate efforts to maximize the use of community resources and prevent duplication of services for families.

(f) Each area agency, in cooperation with the FCESS program, shall document evidence of outreach to local agencies and providers serving children and their families to identify children who might be eligible for FCESS.

(g) Area agencies and FCESS programs shall comply with applicable state and federal rules and regulations.

(h) FCESS programs shall annually conduct and document quality assurance activities, including, at a minimum:

(1) Constituent surveys;

(2) Record reviews;

(3) Performance data measurements;

(4) Participation in lead agency monitoring; and

(5) Development and implementation of a corrective action plan if appropriate based on (1)-(4) above.

(i) Area agencies and FCESS programs shall enter the information identified below into the lead agency's statewide data system based on the following schedule:

(1) Immediately upon referral of a child, the following information:

a. The child's name;

b. The child's date of birth;

c. The child's gender;

d. Date of referral; and

e. Referral source;

(2) Once contact with the family is established the following information shall be entered:

a. Parent or guardian contact information;

b. The child's race and ethnicity;

c. Primary language;

d. Date of intake;

e. Diagnosis and reason for referral;

f. Insurance status, as one of the following types:

1. Public;

2. Private;

3. Both public and private; or

4. None; and

g. FCESS program name;

(3) Upon eligibility determination:

a. Eligibility status; and

b. Eligibility category;

(4) Following preparation of the IFSP:

a. The date of parent or guardian consent;

b. IFSP services to be provided;

c. The delivery method of the services to be provided;

d. The frequency of the services to be provided;

e. The length, in minutes, of the services to be provided;

f. The provider;

g. The environment, including a justification statement if the environment is not a natural environment as defined in He-M 510.02(ad);

h. The projected start date of the services to be provided;

i. Circumstances regarding non-timely services;

j. Actual 6 month review date; and

k. Transition plan activities;

(4) On a monthly basis:

a. Updated insurance status;

b. Services, including evaluations, that have been provided; and

c. The child's updated diagnosis or eligibility status;

(5) Within 30 calendar days of the child exiting the program:

a. Child outcome data required by 34 CFR 303.702; and

b. The reason for exiting and date of exit; and

(6) As they occur, notifications as required by He-M 510.09 (f), (g), and (k).

(j) Each FCESS program shall have a designated program director who shall be responsible for the overall administration of the supports and services and personnel training and supervision. The director may be involved in the provision of direct supports and services.

(k) FCESS programs shall offer and provide a full array of FCESS to families throughout the calendar year.

(l) FCESS programs shall coordinate personnel schedules so that staff have opportunities to share information and strategies across disciplines on a regular basis.

(m) The area agency shall initiate a referral for a surrogate parent to the NH lead agency in accordance with He-M 510.18 when:

(1) No parent can be identified;

(2) A child is under legal guardianship of the division for children, youth and families; or

(3) A court has issued a written order for a surrogate parent.

Notes

N.H. Admin. Code § He-M 510.10

(See Revision Note at part heading for He-M 510) #5745, eff 12-1-93, EXPIRED: 12-1-99

New. #7234, eff 4-22-00; ss by #9135, INTERIM, eff 4-22-08, EXPIRED 10-19-08

New. #9594, eff 11-11-09; ss by #10325, eff 4-26-13 (from He-M 510.11)

Amended by Number 41, Filed October 12, 2023, Proposed by #13753, Effective 9/27/2023, Expires 9/27/2033.