Fla. Admin. Code R. 6M-4.720 (2026)

(1) Definitions. As used in this rule:

(a) “Concerns” means a child’s scoring below established thresholds or age-appropriate levels suggested by the authors of a screening instrument.

(b) “Intervention practices” means the action taken subsequent to a child demonstrating concerns based on screening results.

(c) “Screener” means the individual responsible for conducting the developmental screening for each child.

(d) “Screening” means activities appropriate to a child’s age to identify children who may have concerns and who may need early intervention practices as supports.

(e) “Screening Start Date” is the date of the child’s enrollment into the School Readiness (SR) Program for parents or the child’s first attendance at the School Readiness (SR) Program for providers after initial eligibility determination or after the annual redetermination date as described in Rule 6M-4.200, F.A.C. Notwithstanding the preceding, the provider’s screening start date begins after the parent’s timeframe to complete the screening has ended.

(2) Screening Process. Each early learning coalition must coordinate with parents and providers to complete an annual developmental screening for each child aged six (6) weeks to sixty (60) months who attends an SR provider. The parent of such a child may consent or decline the screening within the single statewide information system (SSIS).

(a) Upon parental consent, children must be screened using the screening instrument available through the SSIS and all required data must be entered into the SSIS by one of the following:

1. The parent within twenty (20) calendar days after the screening start date for parents. The early learning coalition must make staff persons available to assist parents during the screening, if requested.

2. The SR provider within forty-five (45) calendar days after the screening start date for providers, excluding state-observed holidays. The early learning coalition must provide electronic notice of each child the provider is to screen no later than 15 calendar days after each child’s screening start date for providers. At a minimum, notification must include the screening start date for providers, the screening due date, and each child’s name and date of birth. If a child transfers to a different SR provider, the early learning coalition must determine if the child has been screened in accordance with this subsection.

(b) This rule is not intended to limit the number of screenings offered to a child attending an SR provider.

(3) Screening Results. Screening results must be available to each parent no later than 15 calendar days after the screening due date. Each early learning coalition must provide or require the SR provider to provide screening results with concerns in writing to each child’s parent. An early learning coalition must make staff persons available to explain screening results, if requested by a parent.

(4) Exceptions. Children meeting one of the following are exempt from the screening requirement:

(a) A child who was screened in a program other than the SR Program within the preceding 12-month period and whose scores were shared with the early learning coalition by the due date established in subsection (2); or

(b) A child who is receiving services in accordance with an Individualized Family Support Plan (IFSP) or Individual Educational Plan (IEP), if the plan was developed or reviewed in the last 12 months by a school district, early intervention program, or other state agency that provides special education and related services, and shared with the early learning coalition by the due date established in subsection (2).

(5) Early Identification and Referral.

(a) Each early learning coalition must initiate intervention practices no later than 30 calendar days after screening results are made available in accordance with subsection (3) and provide such data to the Florida Department of Education Division of Early Learning upon request. The intervention practices must include:

1. Concern analysis. The coalition must develop priorities, goals, and an action plan in collaboration with the provider to address the identified concerns. An example includes a documented description of the steps the provider and or family will take to address each concern.

2. Intervention implementation. The coalition must implement interventions practices when there are areas of concern. Examples include coaching for the provider on making program accommodations and providing parent and teacher education.

3. Plan evaluation. The coalition must follow up to assess the intervention services provided. Examples include a review of the action steps to determine if revision to the analysis is necessary, if sufficient gains are made, or if a referral to other early intervention services or specialized care is needed.

4. Referrals to early intervention services or specialized care, if applicable. Each early learning coalition or SR provider, as appropriate, must notify in writing the parent of a child who receives a referral. The notification must include, at a minimum, areas identified through the screening that are of concern and local contact information for the appropriate referral agency. Each early learning coalition must offer to contact the appropriate referral agency. Either the coalition or SR provider must document the parent’s choice of “yes” or “no” indicating the choice regarding receipt of additional help, the name of the parent, the date, and the child’s name.

(b) A coalition must document intervention practices or referrals declined by a parent and inform the provider of the same.

Rulemaking Authority 1001.02 FS. Law Implemented 1002.84(5) FS. History–New 11-15-12, Amended 10-3-21, 3-26-26.

Effective: 3/26/2026.