Connecticut General Statutes 17a-248 – Birth-to-three program. Definitions
As used in this section, sections 17a-248b to 17a-248g, inclusive, 17a-248m, 38a-490a and 38a-516a, unless the context otherwise requires:
Terms Used In Connecticut General Statutes 17a-248
- Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
(1) “Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Early Childhood.
(2) “Council” means the State Interagency Birth-to-Three Coordinating Council established pursuant to section 17a-248b.
(3) “Early intervention services” means early intervention services, as defined in 34 C.F.R. part 303.13, as from time to time amended.
(4) “Eligible children” means children (A) (i) from birth to thirty-six months of age, who are not eligible for special education and related services pursuant to sections 10-76a to 10-76h, inclusive, and (ii) thirty-six months of age or older, who are receiving early intervention services and are eligible or being evaluated for participation in preschool services pursuant to Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 USC 1411 et seq., until such children are enrolled in such preschool services, and (B) who need early intervention services because such children are:
(i) Experiencing a significant developmental delay as measured by standardized diagnostic instruments and procedures, including informed clinical opinion, in one or more of the following areas: Cognitive development; physical development, including vision or hearing; communication development; social or emotional development; or adaptive skills; or
(ii) Diagnosed as having a physical or mental condition that has a high probability of resulting in developmental delay.
(5) “Evaluation” means a multidisciplinary professional, objective assessment conducted by appropriately qualified personnel in order to determine a child’s eligibility for early intervention services.
(6) “Individualized family service plan” means a written plan for providing early intervention services to an eligible child and the child’s family.
(7) “Lead agency” means the Office of Early Childhood, the public agency responsible for the administration of the birth-to-three system in collaboration with the participating agencies.
(8) “Parent” means (A) a biological, adoptive or foster parent of a child; (B) a guardian, except for the Commissioner of Children and Families; (C) an individual acting in the place of a biological or adoptive parent, including, but not limited to, a grandparent, stepparent, or other relative with whom the child lives; (D) an individual who is legally responsible for the child’s welfare; or (E) an individual appointed to be a surrogate parent.
(9) “Participating agencies” includes, but is not limited to, the Departments of Education, Social Services, Public Health, Children and Families and Developmental Services, the Office of Early Childhood, the Insurance Department and the Department of Aging and Disability Services.
(10) “Qualified personnel” means persons who meet the standards specified in 34 C.F.R. part 303.31, as from time to time amended, and who are licensed physicians or psychologists or persons holding a state-approved or recognized license, certificate or registration in one or more of the following fields: (A) Special education, including teaching of the blind and the deaf; (B) speech and language pathology and audiology; (C) occupational therapy; (D) physical therapy; (E) social work; (F) nursing; (G) dietary or nutritional counseling; and (H) other fields designated by the commissioner that meet requirements that apply to the area in which the person is providing early intervention services, provided there is no conflict with existing professional licensing, certification and registration requirements.
(11) “Service coordinator” means a person carrying out service coordination services, as defined in 34 C.F.R. part 303.34, as from time to time amended.
(12) “Primary care provider” means physicians and advanced practice registered nurses, licensed by the Department of Public Health, who are responsible for performing or directly supervising the primary care services for children enrolled in the birth-to-three program.