Active SLED Opportunity · MISSISSIPPI · MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
AI Summary
Mississippi Department of Health seeks service providers and evaluators for the Early Intervention Program for Infants and Toddlers. Providers must meet credentialing, training, and compliance requirements to deliver developmental assessments and early intervention services under state and federal laws.
I. The purpose of this Agreement is to fulfill the State’s responsibility pursuant to the Early Intervention Act for Infants and Toddlers (MS Code §§41-87-1, et seq.) and Subchapter III of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), 20 U.S.C. §§1431, et seq.;
The Provider agrees to participate in the Mississippi First Steps Early Intervention Program (hereinafter referred to as “MSFSEIP”) in accordance with the terms and conditions of the program; and
the Provider has represented to MSDH the ability to provide specific service(s) as defined in federal and state policies, certifying all service providers covered under this agreement meet all current state enrollment, credentialing and/or licensure requirements established as of the effective date of this Agreement.
Providers may be classified as either an Evaluator or a Service Provider.
Evaluator. All Evaluators must:
a. Have a current credential (i.e., certification, license, or other qualification) to conduct and interpret
individual child assessments.
b. Have completed formal training in the administration and interpretation of assessments with individuals and training specifically in the administration and interpretation of assessments with infants, toddlers, and families.
c. Demonstrate competence in administering and interpreting developmental assessments.
d. Observe all applicable professional and ethical practices in the administration and interpretation of assessments.
e. Complete ongoing professional development, including the completion of all MSFSEIP-required professional development, focused on principles and best practices in assessment, data-based decision-making, and the administration and interpretation of MSFSEIP-required assessments.
f. If applicable, pursue “in-network” status with all major public and private insurance companies providing coverage in the location in which the evaluator practices, including but not limited to the following: Aetna, Ambetter from Magnolia Health, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Children Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Medicaid (regular), MSCAN-Magnolia, MSCAN-Molina, MSCAN- Mississippi Truecare, Tri-Care, and UnitedHealthcare.
g. Attend all MSFSEIP- or Local FSEIP-required meetings.
Evaluation Teams. Evaluation Teams must be multidisciplinary, as defined in the MSFEIP policies and procedures, and actively involve one or more family members and/or primary caregivers and the Service Coordinator for the infant or toddler and his/her family. Evaluation Team members must enter all child and family assessment or evaluation results into the Mississippi Infant and Toddler Intervention (MITI) data system to generate an assessment or evaluation report.
a. If an infant or toddler has an established condition likely to lead to a developmental delay as defined in the MSFSEIP policies, the infant or toddler is eligible for early intervention services. An Evaluation Team will conduct an initial assessment of the infant or toddler and family to inform the development of an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) and child outcomes ratings.
b. If an infant or toddler does not have an established condition likely to lead to a developmental delay as defined in the MSFSEIP policies, the eligibility of the infant or toddler must be established through evidence of developmental delay based on an evaluation or through clinical opinion. An Evaluation Team will conduct an initial evaluation which will include the administration and interpretation of developmental assessments according to
the MSFSEIP policies and procedures. The Evaluation Team will use the evaluation results for the infant or toddler and family and, if applicable, documentation supporting clinical opinion to inform the development of an IFSP and the child outcomes ratings.
Service Provider. All Service Providers must:
a. Have a current credential (i.e., certification, license, or other qualification) to provide one or more of the following early intervention services: assistive technology services; audiology services; family training and counseling services; health services; medical services; nursing services; nutrition services; occupational therapy; physical therapy; psychological services; related services; sign language and cued language services; social work services; special instruction; speech- language pathology services; or vision services.
b. Have completed formal training in the provision of one or more of the early intervention services listed in Section I.B.1.
c. Demonstrate competence in the provision of one or more of the early intervention services listed in Section I.B.1.
d. Observe all applicable professional and ethical practices in the delivery of early intervention services.
e. Complete ongoing professional development, including the completion of all MSFSEIP-required professional development, focused on the principles and best available evidence-based practices for the delivery of family-focused, routines-based early intervention.
f. If applicable, pursue “in-network” status with all major public and private insurance companies providing coverage in the location in which the service provider practices, including but not limited to the following: Aetna, Ambetter from Magnolia Health, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Children Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Medicaid (regular), MSCAN-Magnolia, MSCAN-Molina, MSCAN- UnitedHealthcare, Tri- Care, and UnitedHealthcare.
g. Attend all MSFSEIP- or Local FSEIP-required meetings. Evidence of efforts to obtain in network status will be required within thirty to sixty days of accepting a client with applicable insurance.
II. Provider Duties and Services. The Provider understands and agrees to the following:
A. To the extent that the services rendered pursuant to the terms and provisions of this Agreement are governed by applicable State and Federal laws and regulations pertaining to early intervention services, the Provider shall exercise due diligence to be knowledgeable concerning these laws and regulations and shall maintain reasonable efforts to comply with the requirements.
B. The Provider shall participate in training sessions, seminars, and other educational initiatives sponsored by the MSDH to further compliance with the applicable laws, as well as the policies and procedures adopted by the Agency to achieve programmatic objectives and goals.
C. All Providers must comply with Title 34, Subtitle B, Chapter III, Section 303 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR): Early Intervention Program for Infants and Toddlers, MSDH and MSFSEIP policies and procedures, and directives of the MSFSEIP. Failure to do so is grounds for termination of this Agreement.
D. All Providers must meet minimum personnel qualifications according to the policies and personnel standards of the MSFSEIP, including obtaining and maintaining a discipline- specific credential required to practice in the state (i.e., certification, license, or other qualification) and meeting the professional development requirements of the MSFSEIP, including completion of discipline-specific professional development required to maintain a credential (i.e., certification, license, or other qualification for practice) and a minimum of fifteen (15) hours of professional development in the principles and practices of early intervention. Professional development hours must be submitted to the MSFSEIP Training Coordinator for approval and entry into the Provider's record maintained in the MITI data system.
E. All supports and services for eligible infants or toddlers and their families must be provided according to the:
a. Current IFSP;
b. Individualized needs of the infant or toddler and her/his family; and all travel expenses will be paid based on per diem and mileage rates approved by the Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration on the date of travel. Personnel service fees for service delivery and training documented in the MITI data system according to the rates in the MSFSEIP Fee Schedule, published online at
for the date of service. These expenses must adhere to the requirements of the MSFSEIP Billing Manual.
a. Invoices detailing units of service, fees, and associated travel will be generated by the MITI data system. The invoice will record the following information: child id number, child name, local EI program, service type, service provider, service log id number, unit/duration (i.e., 1 unit = 15 minutes), fees billed to Medicaid, Insurance, and MSDH, and mileage expenses.
b. Invoices for reimbursement for approved training hours and associated travel will be generated by the MSFSEIP. Documentation of training attendance and expenses for associated travel, including original receipts, must be submitted within thirty (30) days of the training.
b. Invoices will be processed on a monthly basis. An invoice including all expenses approved during the billing period (i.e., previous month) will be generated on the first business day of every month. Invoices will be submitted to the Providers for signature prior to submission for payment.
c. Expenses will not be paid for any services for which a service log or a fee amount has not been entered into the MITI data system within 40 (days) of the date of service.
d. All invoices for payments under this agreement must be completed no later than fifteen (15) days after the expiration of this agreement or the first business day thereafter. Any expenses invoiced after this date may result in a denial of payment.
I. Contingencies Pertaining to the Payment of Early Intervention Services:
a. With respect to the requirements of law and the Provider’s compliance with applicable MSDH/MSFSEIP policies and procedures, the Provider acknowledges and agrees that early intervention services pertaining to any applicable child and family shall continue to be provided during any period in which a party-in-interest has initiated a dispute resolution procedure, such as a mediation proceeding, a written state complaint, or a due process hearing request. During any such period, unless otherwise notified in writing either by the parent (or other responsible adult who has consented to the early intervention services) or by MSDH/MSFSEIP, appropriate early intervention services pertaining to any applicable child or family shall not be terminated, diminished, delayed, or denied by the Provider.
b. Payments made by MSDH/MSFSEIP pursuant to this Agreement shall be made only to the extent that MSDH/MSFSEIP is authorized by IDEA to use funds for activities or expenses that are reasonable and necessary for implementing and conducting the state program for the benefit of eligible infants and toddlers with disabilities, in accordance with 34 CFR §303.501. The Provider acknowledges and agrees that MSDH/MSFSEIP does not have authority to use Federal funds to satisfy a financial commitment for services that would otherwise have been paid by another source (e.g. private insurance, CHIP, and/or Medicaid, including MSCAN), including any medical program administered by the Department of Defense, as provided in 34 CFR
§303.510. As a result of these restrictions, the Provider shall seek payment for any eligible services pertaining to infants and toddlers with disabilities for all possible sources prior to Provider’s submission of any request for payment by MSDH/MSFSEIP, which shall act solely as the POLR to the extent authorized by law. The Provider agrees to provide documentation which is deemed satisfactory by MSDH/MSFSEIP concerning the Provider’s reasonable efforts to seek alternate payment from other sources, which documentation shall be provided with Provider’s request for payment by the Agency and at such other times as may be reasonably requested by MSDH/MSFSEIP.
c. In the event that the Provider unsuccessfully seeks payment for any early intervention services from a state agency other than the MSDH which may have financial responsibility for the payment of early intervention services, the MSDH, as the lead agency, reserves the right to exercise its authority pursuant to 34 CFR §303.511 to seek resolution in a timely manner of any dispute involving such other state agency prior to making any payments to the Provider in MSDH’s capacity as the POLR. During any such period of dispute resolution, the Provider acknowledges and agrees that appropriate early intervention services pertaining to any applicable child and family shall not be terminated, diminished, delayed, or denied by the Provider.
Applications will receive higher scores if the information presented is accurate, complete, well-presented, and free of spelling, grammatical, and mathematical mistakes. Additionally, all acronyms must be spelled out at their first mention, indicating their abbreviation in parenthesis.
Service Provider meets minimum criteria.
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To become an early intervention provider, you must have a current license to practice your specific discipline in the State of Mississippi. Evidence of a current license/credential in good standing must be provided prior to the approval of a service provider agreement. Licenses/Credentials must be maintained throughout the duration of the dates of the agreement for continued service delivery.
Please provide the full legal name of the Applicant Organization that should be listed on an agreement or contract. Be sure to include any other "doing business as" names, or any previous names the organization used.
NOTE: Name must match the UEI Number
What is the full physical/mailing address of the Application Organization?
Please be sure to include the full street name and address (including floor or room number if applicable), City, State, and Zip Code.
Please provide the full name of the Applicant's Point of Contact for this Application.
Please provide the full title of the Applicant's Point of Contact for this Application.
Please provide the full telephone number (including area code) of the Applicant's Point of Contact for this Application.
Please provide the full email address of the Applicant's Point of Contact for this Application.
Party submitting this application certifies that Applicant Organization is an eligible entity as defined by this RFA.
Party submitting this application certifies that Applicant Organization is not presently debarred or suspended.
Upload a copy of your current W9 here.
List all other current agreements/contracts with MSDH, including the dollar amount associated with the agreement/contract and the beginning and ending dates. If no other funds are received, please mark N/A.
Please provide each entry in the following format:
MSDH Program or Agreement/Contract Name #1
Are any members of the governing body or project staff also MSDH employees, MSDH Board Members, or spouses, parents, or children of MSDH employees?
You have indicated that one or more members of your governing body or project staff are also MSDH employees, MSDH Board Members, or spouses, parents, or children of MSDH employees.
Please provide the following for all such individuals:
Does the MSDH Board Member, Employee, or Relative receive more than $2,500.00 per year in income from the business?
Does the MSDH Board Member, Employee, or Relative own ten (10%) percent or more of the fair market value in the business, either directly or indirectly through another business?
Does the MSDH Board Member, Employee, or Relative have ownership interest in the business, in which the fair market value exceeds $5,000.00?
Is the MSDH Board Member, Employee, or Relative a director, officer, or employee of the business?
I hereby certify that the information set forth above is true and complete to the best of my knowledge and that no MSDH employee, spouse, parent, or child of an MSDH employee, serves as a member of the governing body, project staff, or has an ownership or pecuniary interest in the agreement/contract or organization. I agree to notify MSDH within thirty (30) days if any of these conditions change during the agreement/contract.
The applicant certifies that they or any of its principals _____ presently indicted for, or otherwise criminally or civilly charged by a government entity.
Select the answer which best fills in the blank for the applicant.
The applicant certifies that they or any of its principals _____ within the last five (5) years, been the subject of a federal or state criminal proceeding resulting in a conviction or other acknowledgment of fault, been the subject of a federal or state civil or administrative proceeding resulting in a finding of fault with a monetary fine, penalty, reimbursement, restitution, and/or damages greater than $5,000 or other acknowledgment of fault; convicted of or had a civil judgment rendered against them for commission of fraud or criminal offense in connection with obtaining, attempting to obtain, or performing a public (federal, state or local) contract or subcontract; violation of Federal or State antitrust statues relating to the submission of offers; or commission of embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, falsification or destruction of records, making false statements or receiving stolen property.
Select the answer which best fills in the blank for the applicant.
The applicant certifies that they or any of its principals _____ within the last three (3) years preceding this offer, had one or more contracts terminated for default by any federal agency.
Select the answer which best fills in the blank for the applicant.
The applicant certifies that they or any of its principals _____ within the last twenty-four (24) months, been convicted of a felony criminal violation under federal or state law.
Select the answer which best fills in the blank for the applicant.
Applicant will provide any required supplemental information as outlined in this Request to be submitted with the Application.
Should the language for Competition/Joint Efforts be used in this RFA?
Is there a Statement of Need required with submittals for this RFA?
What is the estimated dollar amount budgeted for this request?
Be sure that the following three financial info pieces add up to 100% or this will not be approved.
Please specify the internal order information. Be sure to include the % of each internal order. If there are multiple internal orders, please separate each with a comma and be sure they add up to 100% or your posting will not be approved.
EXAMPLE 1
30000035771 100%
Please specify the functional area information. Be sure to include the % of each functional area. If there are multiple functional areas, please separate each with a comma and be sure they add up to 100% or your posting will not be approved.
EXAMPLE 1
13010101000000DV 100%
Please specify the cost center information. Be sure to include the % of each cost center. If there are multiple cost centers, please separate each with a comma and be sure they add up to 100% or your posting will not be approved.
EXAMPLE 1
1301010707 100%
SLED stands for State, Local, and Education. These are solicitations issued by state governments, counties, cities, school districts, utilities, and higher education institutions — as opposed to federal agencies.
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