Maine § 3922. - Duties of system

§ 3922.. Duties of system

The system shall:   [PL 2021, c. 457, §1 (NEW).]

1.  Expansion of services.  Increase the percentage of children screened for developmental, social or emotional issues at all appropriate locations, including, but not limited to, early childhood education facilities, child care facilities, Head Start facilities, Early Head Start facilities, regional sites of the Child Development Services System under Title 20‑A, section 7209, subsection 3 and health care providers to ensure access to early periodic screening, diagnosis and treatment and other related services to promote children's healthy development. For purposes of this section, "Head Start" means a program operated under 42 United States Code, Sections 9831 to 9852c and "Early Head Start" means a program under 42 United States Code, Section 9840a;

2.  Coordinated system.  Develop a coordinated system of early identification, referral and follow-up services across early childhood education, child care facilities, home visitor services as defined in section 3931, subsection 2, paragraph P, Head Start, Early Head Start, the Child Development Services System under Title 20‑A, section 7209, subsection 3, health care providers and family supports;

3.  Delivery of services.  Improve the delivery of services covered by early periodic screening, diagnosis and treatment required by Medicaid and other related services to promote children's healthy development;

4.  Centralized access point.  Develop a centralized access point for families, caregivers and professionals to obtain information about early periodic screening, diagnosis and treatment services. The centralized access point must be available by telephone, the Internet and other communication platforms;

5.  Electronic directory.  Compile and maintain an electronic directory of resources with respect to service providers and use appropriate methods of communication to assist families and caregivers and connect them with early intervention services, primary care and appropriate early periodic screening, diagnosis and treatment services to children at risk; and

6.  Data collection.  Collect data necessary to align the system with evaluation requirements from the national center under section 3921, subsection 1 as well as identify gaps in services by type and region and barriers to obtaining appropriate services.