Eligibility and Referral
For questions regarding eligibility and referral, please contact webreplyspefs@dese.mo.gov.
Children who are eligible for early intervention services are children between the ages of birth and 36 months who have been determined to have:
A. A diagnosed physical or mental condition associated with developmental disabilities or has a high probability of resulting in a developmental delay or disability.
STATE DEFINITION OF DIAGNOSED CONDITIONS
The state of Missouri has adopted the following conditions to meet the definition of "diagnosed physical or mental condition that has a high probability of resulting in a developmental delay":
1. Conditions diagnosed at birth or within 30 days post birth (newborn conditions)
a. Very Low Birth Weight (VLBW; less than 1500 grams) with one or more of the following conditions:
- Apgar of 6 or less at 5 minutes
- Intracranial bleeds (Grade II, III, or IV)
- Ventilator dependent for 72 hours or more
- Asphyxiation
2. Conditions diagnosed (Neonatal/Infant/Toddler Conditions)
a. Genetic Conditions known to be associated with mental retardation or developmental disabilities including but not limited to:
- Down Syndrome
- Cri-du-Chat Syndrome
- Klinefelter's Syndrome
- Trisomy 18 (Edward's Syndrome)
- Trisomy 13 (Patau's Syndrome)
- Turner's Syndrome
- Triple-X Syndrome
- Fragile X Syndrome
- Prader-Willi Syndrome
- Pierre Robin
b. Additional conditions known to be associated with mental retardation or developmental disabilities including but not limited to:
-- Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) and at term (36 weeks gestation or more)
-- Cranio-facial anomalies (i.e., cleft palate, etc.)
-- Epilepsy/Seizure Disorder
-- Spina Bifida
-- Blindness, including visual impairments
-- Macro/Microcephalus, including Hydrocephalus
-- Deafness, including hearing impairments
-- Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
-- Cyanotic Congenital Heart Disease
-- PKU (phenylketonuria)
-- Cerebral Palsy
-- Viruses/bacteria (Herpes, syphilis, cytomegalovirus, toxoplasmosis, and rubella)
-- Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
-- Autism Spectrum Disorders
Other conditions known to be associated with mental retardation or developmental disabilities to be considered for eligibility must be based upon informed clinical opinion by Board-certified neonatologists, pediatricians, geneticists, and/or pediatric neurologists. These physicians may refer a child by indicating the specific condition and documenting the potential impact of the condition in any of the five developmental areas.
B. A developmental delay, as measured by appropriate diagnostic measures and procedures emphasizing the use of informed clinical opinion, is defined as a child who is functioning at half the developmental level that would be expected for a child developing within normal limits and of equal age.
In the case of infants born prematurely, the adjusted chronological age (which is calculated by deducting one-half of the prematurity from the child's chronological age) should be assigned for a period of up to 12 months or longer if recommended by the child's physician. The delay must be identified in one or more of the following areas:
a) cognitive development
b) communication development
c) adaptive development
d) physical development, including vision and hearing
e) social or emotional development
SERVICES TO AT RISK CHILDREN
It is the policy of the State of Missouri to not include children considered to be "at risk" of having substantial developmental delays for eligibility in the Part C system under this application. The phrase "at risk" includes infants and toddlers who are not otherwise covered by the definitions described previously.
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS
1. A child must be a resident of the State of Missouri to receive Part C services from the state's system.
2. A child living with a parent, legal guardian, or person "acting as a parent" within the definition of the Individuals with Disabilities Act in the State of Missouri is considered a resident.
3. Citizenship status cannot be used to deny Part C services to an eligible child and family.
4. A child living in Missouri solely for the purpose of receiving Part C services is not considered a resident.
5. Citizenship or immigrant status is not a requirement of residency.