If an applicant or recipient (or said applicants' or recipients' parents or guardian where appropriate) is aggrieved by a decision to the C.C.S./C.S.H.N. Program and seeks to appeal that decision, the applicant or recipient must request an informal conference in writing, within fifteen (15) days from the date of the letter. The appellant must submit the request to the C.C.S./C.S.H.N. Program Director and state with specificity the basis for the appeal. The appellant waives all appeal rights on any issue not raised in the initial request for informal conference. The informal conference shall be scheduled as soon as practicable, but in no case later than forty-five (45) days from the C.C.S./C.S.H.N. Program's receipt of the request for informal conference. At the informal conference, the appellant may be represented by legal counsel, relative, friend, or other spokesperson. The appellant or his or her representative may ask any questions or present any new clarifying information in support of the appellant's position concerning the basis of the appeal. Whatever issues are not raised at the informal conference are waived. The C.C.S./C.S.H.N. Program Director shall issue a written decision with findings of the informal conference. If the appellant is dissatisfied with the results of the informal conference, he or she may request an administrative hearing.
10- 144 C.M.R. ch. 272, § VIII-D