La. Admin. Code tit. 48 § I-16105

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024

Section I-16105 - Application Process

A. Applications for flexible family fund will be accepted by email, fax, mail and in person in the office of the local governing entity (LGE) for the region in which the child resides. There is no closing date for accepting applications.

B. The responsible caregiver is responsible for completing the application and submitting all required documentation related to the application.

C. Applications will be maintained on the waiting list by date/time order of application, only in the region in which the child lives; no child may be placed on a waiting list or receive a flexible family fund from more than one region or agency.

D. For the developmental disabilities exceptionalities, a completed application must be submitted with appropriate documentation for a qualifying exceptionality. Appropriate documentation includes one of the following:

1. the most recent, current within a year individualized family services plan (IFSP) (for EarlySteps eligibility for infants and toddlers until age three);

2. the most recent report, current within a year, from the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) special school programs pupil appraisal services showing the child's condition meets LDOE Bulletin 1508 criteria for one of the qualifying exceptionalities;

3. the most recent, current within a year, signed by school staff and parent/guardian individualized education plan (IEP) listing the child's exceptionality as one of the qualifying exceptionalities;

4. a report, current within a year, from a licensed health professional which states that a child's condition conforms to standards established in the LDOE Bulletin 1508 for one of the qualifying exceptionalities;

5. a current, within a year independent education evaluation (IEE) which states that a child's condition conforms to standards established in the LDOE Bulletin 1508 for one of the qualifying exceptionalities;

6. a current, within a year approved home study plan with a current within three years LDOE special school programs pupil appraisal services report showing the child's condition meets LDOE Bulletin 1508 criteria for one of the qualifying exceptionalities; or

7. an annual individual plan, current within a year, signed by school staff and parent/guardian, listing the child's exceptionality, created by schools approved by the LDOE to provide educational services to children with one of the qualifying exceptionalities, e.g., The school choice program for certain students with exceptionalities; or

E. For the exceptionality of emotional disturbance, a completed application must be submitted with the appropriate documentation of an emotional disturbance. Appropriate documentation includes one of the following:

1. a current treatment plan from a licensed community behavioral health center or evidence of an interagency service coordination process;

2. the most recent report, current within a year, from the LDOE special school programs pupil appraisal service showing the child's condition meets LDOE Bulletin 1508 criteria for emotional disturbance;

3. the most recent, current within a year, signed by school staff and parent/guardian IEP listing the child's exceptionality as emotional disturbance or its equivalent;

4. a report, current within a year, from a licensed health professional which states that a child's condition conforms to standards established in the LDOE Bulletin 1508 for emotional disturbance or its equivalent;

5. a current, within a year IEE which states that a child's condition conforms to standards established in the LDOE Bulletin 1508 for emotional disturbance or its equivalent;

7. for a student who has been evaluated by a LEA, determined to have an exceptionality of emotional disturbance, and is deemed eligible to participate in the school of choice program for certain students with exceptionalities, an IEP or a services plan for any service in accordance with 34 CFR 300.37 or a nonpublic school created plan resulting from a determination of the evaluation of the student by a LEA that the student requires services for emotional disturbance.

F. The responsible caregiver shall provide appropriate documentation of a qualifying exceptionality annually in order for the child to maintain eligibility for the flexible family fund waiting list.

G. A new application can be submitted at any time a flexible family fund is terminated or denied for any reason other than exceeding the eligible age for participation in the flexible family fund.

La. Admin. Code tit. 48, § I-16105

Promulgated by the Department of Health and Hospitals, Office of the Secretary and the Department of Social Services, Office of the Secretary, LR 18:186 (February 1992), amended LR 23:862 (July 1997), LR 28:1020 (May 2002), LR 33:1136 (June 2007), amended by the Department of Health and Hospitals, Office of the Secretary and the Department of Children and Family Services, Office of the Secretary, LR 37:2585 (September 2011), LR 40:1523 (August 2014), Amended the Department of Health, Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities, LR 45559 (4/1/2019).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 28:821 et seq.