Chapter 3 : Section 8.3

Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) Services

Procedures

Eligibility

Children with a diagnosed developmental delay or disability who appears to meet DDD eligibility criteria shall promptly be referred to DDD. Potential developmental delay or disability may be identified at any point in the case, including the initial Integrated Rapid Response assessment or Early Periodic Screening Diagnosis and Treatment screenings. For additional information, see Medical Services for Children in Out-of-Home Care and Arizona Early Intervention Progam (AzEIP).

Birth to Three Years

Children age birth to three years who have been removed or are the subject of a substantiated report shall be referred to the Arizona Early Intervention Program (AzEIP) for early intervention services, (For more information see Arizona Early Intervention Program).

AzEIP will refer all children birth to age three that appear to meet the AzEIP eligibility criteria to DDD .

Age Three (3) through Six (6)

Refer children age three through six based on the following criteria:

• Have a diagnosis of cerebral palsy, epilepsy, down syndrome, autism, or cognitive/intellectual disability.

• Demonstrate a strong potential the child has or will have a developmental disability. Children diagnosed with the following conditions may be considered at risk for a developmental disability:

  • spina bifida with arnold chiari malformation;

  • periventricular leukomalacia;

  • chromosomal abnormalities with high risk for cognitive disability;

  • autism spectrum disorders;

  • post natal traumatic brain injury such as “abusive head trauma” or near drowning;

  • hydrocephaly;

  • microcephaly;

  • alcohol or drug related birth defects such as fetal alcohol syndrome; and

  • birth weight under 1000 grams with evidence of neurological impairment.

• Demonstrate a significant developmental delay and a strong potential the child will have a developmental disability, indicated by a 50% delay in one of the following five developmental domains or that the child has 25% delay in two or more of the following five domains:

  • physical (fine and/gross motor, vision, or hearing);

  • cognitive;

  • communication;

  • social emotional; and

  • self help.

All required and accepted documentation, as outlined in DDD-1991A Eligibility Checklist, that a child from birth to age six is or has the potential to have a developmental disability includes:

• medical records indicating an at-risk condition;

• results of an acceptable standardized developmental assessment; or

• a signed statement from a licensed physician, licensed psychologist, or other professional trained in early childhood development specifying their clinical opinion as to the child's disability or delay.

Age Six and Older

Promptly refer a child over the age of six who meets the following criteria to DDD:

• autism, as diagnosed by a licensed psychiatrist, psychologist, or developmental pediatrician with appropriate expertise, as determined by DDD;

• cerebral palsy, as diagnosed by a licensed physician;

• epilepsy, as diagnosed by a licensed neurologist or physician;

• down syndrome, as diagnosed by a licensed primary care physician, developmental pediatrician, neonatologist, or clinical geneticist; or

• cognitive/intellectual disability, as determined by an individual qualified to provide psychological documentation utilizing culturally appropriate and valid tests.

A child age six or older must also demonstrate functional limitations in at least three of the seven major life activities:

• receptive and expressive language;

• learning;

• self-direction;

• economic self-sufficiency;

• self-care;

• mobility;

• capacity for independent living;

Referral to DDD Program

The DCS Specialist will submit an application for eligibility determination to DDDApply@azdes.gov for any child who appears to meet DDD eligibility criteria. The DCS Specialist will submit all required documentation outlined in DDD-1991A Eligibility Checklist.

If a child becomes eligible for DDD services after placement in a foster home, refer the foster parent to DDD to apply to be a Child Developmental Certified home through DDD.

If the foster parent does not choose to become certified or is denied certification, review the case with the case planning team, including the DDD case manager, to determine if it is in the best interest of the child to remain in the home. Discuss the reasons for the foster parent’s voluntary denial or the reasons for the denied certification to ensure the caregiver has the ability to meet the needs of the child. If it is not in the child’s best interest, follow the procedures below for Out-of-Home Placement of Children Receiving DDD Services.

Out-of-Home Caregiver for a Child Receiving DDD Services

For children enrolled in DDD services, complete the following steps in addition to the steps outlined in Selecting an Out-of-Home Caregiver:

Emergency Placement:

• Submit a new Service Request through Guardian for a new placement request.

• The Placement Administration will contact the DDD Network Administrator to request a living arrangement and provide information regarding the child.

• When the DDD Network Administrator obtains caregiver options, they will email the list to DCS Placement Administration.

• The Placement Administration will inform the DCS Specialist that a living arrangement has been secured.

• Select the caregiver, make arrangements and place the child.

• Within 24 hours, the Placement Administration will email the DDD Network Administrator informing them the child has been placed with the caregiver, including the date placed.

• Upon request, the DDD support coordinator will assist with the referral and placing the child.

Non-Emergency Placement:

• Invite the DDD support coordinator to the Team Decision Making (TDM) or Child and Family Team (CFT) Meeting (Refer to Team Decision Making).

• If following the TDM Meeting or CFT Meeting a caregiver is needed, the DCS Specialist will follow steps listed above under Emergency Placement.

After Hours Units and On-Call Specialists:

Follow the placement procedures as outlined by Placement Administration. If a Child Developmental Home, Group Home, or Nursing Supported Group Home is used, the Placement Administration emails or calls the DDD Placement Network Administrator within 1 business day. The DDD Placement Resource Coordinator notifies the DDD Support Coordinator.

Non-ALTCS Eligible Child

When DCS places a non-ALTCS eligible child into a DDD placement, the Placement Administration notification protocol is followed.

When a child is placed with a DDD caregiver, email the DDD Network Administrator to provide the name, location, and date the child was placed.

Transition Planning

Six months prior to the youth turning 18, contact the DDD service coordinator to initiate and discuss the tasks identified below:

• the youth's living arrangement;

• legal options (e.g., adult guardianship, power of attorney, etc.);

• adult behavioral health transition/seriously mentally ill (SMI) status;

• ALTCS eligibility;

• Social Security;

• continued education;

• employment services; and

• Voluntary Extended Foster Care Agreement

Follow procedures outlined in Voluntary Extended Foster Care and Discharge from Voluntary Extended Foster Care.

Collaboration with DDD

When a child is provided with DDD services, the DCS Specialist shall collaborate with the DDD case manager, including:

• attending DDD Person Centered Service Plan(PCSP)individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) meetings;

• include DDD Service Coordinators in DCS case plan staffing and CFT meetings;

• be knowledgeable about services recommended in the child’s IFSP or PCSP; and

• advocate for the prevision of recommended services if they are not delivered.

Documentation

Upload a copy of the IFSP or PCSP as an Artifact in Guardian.

Effective Date: September 24, 2022

Revision History: November 30, 2012, August 6, 2016, February 1, 2021, October 1, 2021