<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".06" citation="COMAR 10.22.12.06" title_num="10" subtitle_num="22" chapter_num="12" heading="Eligibility Determination Process — Personal Contact and Determination of Service Needs.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Determination of Service Needs.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>When a personal contact is made by a representative of the DDA, in accordance with Regulation .05B(3)(c), of this chapter, the representative shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Establish if the individual has a developmental disability;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Establish the nature of the disability;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Collect sufficient information, including any existing evaluations, to make a recommendation concerning assignment to a services priority category, taking into account the strengths and needs of the family, caregiver, and the individual;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Describe the nature of the services that the individual may require through:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Discussion with the applicant, caregiver, or other proponent, when one exists, and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Observation of the interaction between the applicant, caregiver, or other proponent, when one exists;</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Describe the type of environment that the individual may require through:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Discussion with the applicant, caregiver, or other proponent, when one exists, and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Observation of the interaction between the applicant, caregiver, or other proponent, when one exists.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A face-to-face personal contact shall be conducted for individuals living in the community. For individuals living in chronic hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, residential schools, or for a transitioning youth whose only service need is a day program, a personal contact may consist of interviews with staff or individuals by phone or in person. Knott class individuals shall receive a personal contact. Individuals with the sole diagnosis of mental illness or otherwise not eligible for DDA-funded services may not receive a personal contact.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A representative of the DDA shall give written results of the personal contact to the appropriate regional director with a recommendation regarding eligibility, service needs, and priorities.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>If the regional director agrees that the individual is eligible for services, the regional director shall recommend to the Director that the individual be assigned to one or more of six service priority categories described in Regulation .07B of this chapter, for each service as appropriate.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>The Director shall review the recommendation of the regional director concerning eligibility, service needs, and priorities.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>The Director shall send a letter to the applicant notifying the individual of the decision regarding the applicant's:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Eligibility;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Service needs;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Priorities; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Right to an informal hearing in accordance with COMAR 10.22.16.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Eligibility and Access Time Frame.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The entire eligibility and access process may not exceed 60 days except under the following conditions:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Scheduled appointments are cancelled by the applicant, caregiver, or other proponent, when one exists, and new appointments cannot be scheduled in a timely manner; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Requested information necessary to make recommendations regarding eligibility, service needs, and priorities has not been received from the applicant, caregiver, or other proponent, when one exists.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The regional director shall review the applicant's requests for extensions of the eligibility and access process. Requests may be approved if the above conditions have been corrected or if definite arrangements have been made to correct the above conditions.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>