Definitions

The following terms used in 130 CMR 440.000 shall have the meanings given in this section unless the context clearly requires a different meaning. Biological Risk Infant — an infant with a history of prenatal, perinatal, neonatal, or early developmental events or conditions suggestive of biological insults to the development of the central nervous system that, either singly or collectively, increase the probability of later atypical development. Caregiver — an individual (such as, but not limited to, a parent or foster parent) who assumes primary responsibility for the day-to-day care of a child. Center-Based Individual Visit — a face-to-face meeting, at an early intervention program's site, of one member or one member's caregiver, or both, with professional program staff for the purpose of furthering the member's developmental progress. Child-Focused Group Session — a face-to-face meeting, at an early intervention program's site, of a group of members with a professional program staff for the purpose of furthering the members' developmental progress. Early Intervention Program — a program that is certified by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health as an Early Intervention Program and that provides social, medical, educational, therapeutic, and developmental services for children aged three years or younger who are at biological, environmental, or established risk, and their families. Environmental Risk Infant — an infant who is biologically sound but whose early life, including maternal and family care, health care, nutrition, opportunities for expression of adaptive behaviors, and patterns of physical and social stimulation, is so limiting that there is a likelihood of delayed development. Established Risk Infant — an infant whose early development is influenced by diagnosed medical disorders of known etiology that cause developmental delay. Also within this category are children who during the infancy period, or more commonly in the second year of life, begin to manifest developmental delays or deviations, for known or unknown reasons. Evaluation/Assessment — the process of determining eligibility for early intervention services. Evaluation consists of administration of a normed developmental evaluation instrument by a multidisciplinary team and a determination of family and child-risk factors to document eligibility. Evaluation of eligibility is performed on referral to the early intervention program and on an annual basis. Assessment is the process of identifying the child's and family's strengths and needs, and the nature and extent of the early intervention services that are needed. Evaluation and assessment may be conducted simultaneously or as separate events during the process of a child's enrollment in early intervention. Home Visit — a face-to-face meeting of the member, the member’s caregiver, or both, with professional program staff at the member's home, a child-care setting, or other off-site setting, for the purpose of furthering the member's developmental progress. Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) — a document produced collaboratively by program staff and family members that contains the agreed-upon early intervention services. The IFSP is based on a multidisciplinary assessment. Intake/Screening — an initial face-to-face meeting of a member and a member's caregiver with professional program staff to initiate the process of evaluation of eligibility and enrollment in the early intervention program. Initial information regarding the member's medical and developmental history relating to the member's possible eligibility for early intervention is collected. In the instances when probable eligibility is not determined by the referral information, a developmental screening tool may be administered to determine probable eligibility. Operational Standards — the Early Intervention Operational Standards developed by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to govern the general operation of early intervention programs in Massachusetts. Parent-Focused Group Session — a face-to-face meeting of a group of members' parents/ caregivers (not a child-care worker) with professional program staff, for the purpose of support, education, and guidance. Working Hour — one hour worked on an intake/screening or an evaluation/assessment by one professional staff member. (For example, if three professionals work together for one hour to complete an assessment/evaluation, the evaluation/assessment lasts three working hours.)