402.3028  Referral for assessment.--The Department of Children and Family Services, Department of Health, and Department of Education shall implement the following procedures for making referrals for Level III assessment pursuant to s. 402.3027:

(1)  Children under 3 years of age who are in the subsidized child care program and are identified as needing a Level III developmental assessment pursuant to s. 402.3027 shall be referred to the Early Intervention for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities Program of the Department of Health, funded under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Pub. L. No. 105-17, Part C. Assessments shall be completed within 45 days after the referral. If the Early Intervention for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities Program is not available, referral may be made to a local community service provider.

(2)  Children age 3 years through 5 years who are in the subsidized child care program and are identified as needing a Level III developmental assessment pursuant to s. 402.3027 shall be referred to the appropriate program under the local school district or appropriate local service provider. It is the intent of the Legislature that these assessments be completed within 45 days because of the critical nature of child development at this age.

(3)  Services to children with disabilities under this section shall be integrated and delivered with child care programs to the extent possible.

(4)  Nothing in this section prohibits a subsidized child care program from referring a child to Medicaid or the Florida KidCare program to determine eligibility for services, or from making a referral to a child's primary health care provider.