(a) Purpose. SoonerStart Early Intervention Program (SoonerStart) is a statewide, interagency, multidisciplinary system of services to families with children, birth to 36 months, who have developmental delays. Focusing on the family, SoonerStart seeks to:
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(1) enhance the development of children served and minimize their potential for developmental delay;
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(2) enhance and strengthen the abilities of families to meet the needs of children with developmental delays;
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(3) reduce the need for special education and related services as these children reach school age; and
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(4) maximize each child's potential for leading a productive life in the community as an adult.
(b) Eligibility. SoonerStart is available to all children deemed eligible regardless of income, custody status, or eligibility for other Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) programs. A child who is eligible for SoonerStart must be age birth through two years, 0 to 36 months, and:
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(1) exhibit a delay in his or her development of 50 percent or score two standard deviations below the mean in one or more domains of:
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(A) cognitive development;
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(B) physical development;
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(C) communication development;
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(D) social or emotional development; or
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(E) adaptive development;
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(2) exhibit a delay in his or her development of 25 percent or score one and one-half standard deviations below the mean in two or more domains of:
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(A) cognitive development;
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(B) physical development;
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(C) communication development;
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(D) social or emotional development; or
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(E) adaptive development; or
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(3) have a diagnosed physical or mental condition that has a high probability of resulting in delay, including, but not limited to:
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(A) chromosomal disorders;
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(B) neurological abnormalities;
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(C) inborn errors of metabolism;
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(D) genetic disorders;
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(E) congenital malformation of the brain;
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(F) congenital infections;
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(G) sensory abnormalities and impairments; or
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(H) other identified syndromes.
(c) Background and authority. SoonerStart is authorized by Section 1471 of Title 20 of the United States Code (20 U.S.C. § 1471) and Section 13-121 et seq. of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes (70 O.S. § 13-121 et seq.), Oklahoma Early Intervention Act.
(d) Structure. SoonerStart is a multidisciplinary program that capitalizes on the resources and functions of participating agencies.
(e) Direct services. SoonerStart uses a family-centered approach to arrange services for the child while helping the parent(s) understand and enhance the child's development. Services may include:
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(1) diagnostic and evaluation services;
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(2) case management;
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(3) family training, counseling, and home visits;
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(4) certain health and medical services;
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(5) nursing services;
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(6) nutrition services;
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(7) occupational, physical, and speech-language therapy;
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(8) audiological services;
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(9) special instruction;
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(10) social work services; and
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(11) psychological services.
(f) Service provision. A multidisciplinary team evaluates the child for eligibility purposes and assesses the child's individual needs. The parent(s) participates in all aspects of the evaluation process.
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(1) A written Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) is developed by the family and service providers based on the child's evaluation.
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(2) The IFSP is the plan of action for services to the child and family taking into consideration the child's and family's strengths, priorities, and resources.
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(3) Services are provided in the child's natural environment, such as the home, day care center, or other community setting that best meets the child's needs.
(g) Funding. There is no direct cost to families for services. Funding sources include Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Medicaid (Title XIX), Maternal and Child Health (Title V), and state appropriated dollars.
(h) Referrals. Referrals are encouraged and accepted from all sources. • 2 A parent(s) or other referral source may contact SoonerStart by phone, written, or personal contact.
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(1) The referral process includes gathering information, such as child's name and birth date, parent(s)' name, phone number, and address, reason for referral, and other available information.
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(2) When possible, the parent(s) is informed when a SoonerStart referral is made on behalf of the child. If the parent(s) is unsure about the referral or in need of more information, then SoonerStart may be contacted directly. The information can be mailed to the referral source to be shared with the parent(s) or mailed directly to the parent(s).
(i) Children in foster care. Children, younger than three years of age, placed in foster care through OKDHS are referred to SoonerStart. • 3 Under the Oklahoma Early Intervention Act and special education federal regulations, the foster parent(s) serves as the child's parent(s) in giving consent for services and releasing information from SoonerStart to other agencies, including OKDHS.
(j) Transition. Eligibility for SoonerStart ends when the child attains three years of age. The child may then be eligible for special education services through the local school district. Children who do not meet the criteria for special education services are referred to appropriate community programs.