See Early Childhood Intervention Services (on the HHS website) for information.

A child must be referred to ECI if a caseworker, a family member, or a caregiver suspects that a child under 3 years of age:

 •  has a disability;

 •  has a developmental delay; or

 •  shows signs of being affected by illegal substance abuse or withdrawal symptoms resulting from prenatal drug exposure.

Time frames for referring a child under 3 years of age to ECI vary according to the stage of service of the child’s case in IMPACT.

However, if the caseworker suspects a developmental delay or disability, the child must be referred within two days regardless of the stage of service.

Time Frame for Referral at the Alternative Response (AR) Stage

If the caseworker suspects the child has a disability or developmental delay during the course of AR, the caseworker must refer the child to ECI within two business days of identifying the need.

Time Frame for Referral at the Investigations Stage

If the caseworker suspects the child has a disability or developmental delay during the course of the investigation, the caseworker must refer the child to ECI within two business days of identifying the need.

Time Frame for Referral at the Family-Based Safety Services (FBSS) Stage

Within ten business days of the case being transferred to the FBSS unit with a finding of Abuse or neglect substantiated (Reason to Believe), the FBSS caseworker must refer all designated victims under 3 years of age to ECI for screening.

If the FBSS caseworker or family suspects a child who is not a designated victim has a disability or developmental delay during the course of the FBSS case, the child must be referred to ECI within two days of identifying the need.

Exception: If the Investigation worker has referred the child to ECI during the Investigations stage, do not refer the child again to ECI, to avoid duplicate referrals.

Time Frame for Referral at the Conservatorship Stage

If a child under age 3 is in CPS conservatorship and is eligible for STAR Health, the caseworker does not make a referral to ECI until the child has had a screening with a STAR Health provider. The STAR Health provider will refer the child to ECI if applicable.

When Immediate Intervention Is Necessary at the Conservatorship Stage

If the caseworker suspects the child has a disability or developmental delay and the child’s condition requires intervention before the child’s initial or next Texas Health Steps exam, the caseworker must:

1.   consult with the supervisor; and

2.   refer the child to ECI within two business days of identifying the need.

Procedure for Making a Referral

The caseworker must complete Form 0789 [sic, broken link] CPS Referral to ECI and send the completed form to the local ECI provider.

If a caseworker or family member refers a child to ECI, the caseworker must document the referral in the Services and Referrals page.

Subsequent Referrals

If a caseworker identifies additional needs in a child who has already been screened by ECI or has received ECI services, the caseworker must make a new referral to ECI for screening within two days of identifying the need.

Duplicate Referrals

To avoid making duplicate referrals of a child to ECI during the course of a case, caseworkers in subsequent stages of the case must check previous stage Services and Referrals pages to see if a child has already been referred to ECI before making a referral.

The caseworker must make a referral as required in the policy above if:

 •  a case is closed in which a referral of a child to ECI was made;

 •  the family is reported again for abuse or neglect; and

 •  it appears that the child still needs ECI services.

In this instance, the referral is not considered to be a duplicate referral.