Methods of ensuring services.
(1) The OSPI must ensure that an interagency agreement or other mechanism for interagency coordination is in effect between each noneducational public agency described in this section and the OSPI, in order to ensure that all services that are needed to ensure FAPE are provided, including the provision of these services during the pendency of any dispute under (c) of this subsection. The agreement or mechanism shall contain:
(a) An identification of, or a method of defining, the financial responsibility of each agency for providing services to ensure FAPE to students eligible for special education services. The financial responsibility of each noneducational public agency, including the state medicaid agency and other public insurers of students eligible for special education services, must precede the financial responsibility of the school district.
(b) The conditions, terms, and procedures under which a school district must be reimbursed by other agencies.
(c) Procedures for resolving interagency disputes (including procedures under which school districts may initiate proceedings) under the agreement or other mechanism to secure reimbursement from other agencies or otherwise implement the provisions of the agreement or mechanism.
(d) Policies and procedures for agencies to determine and identify the interagency coordination responsibilities of each agency to promote the coordination and timely and appropriate delivery of services described in subsection (2)(a) of this section.
(2)(a) If any public agency other than an educational agency is otherwise obligated under federal or state law, or assigned responsibility under state policy or pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, to provide or pay for any services that are also considered special education or related services such as, but not limited to, assistive technology devices and services, related services, whether provided as specially designed instruction or related services; supplementary aids and services, and transition services that are necessary for ensuring FAPE to students eligible for special education services, the noneducational public agency must fulfill that obligation or responsibility, either directly or through contract or other arrangement pursuant to subsection (1) of this section.
(b) A noneducational public agency described in subsections (1)(a) and (2) of this section may not disqualify an eligible service for medicaid reimbursement because that service is provided in a school context.
(c) If a noneducational public agency other than a school district fails to provide or pay for the special education and related services described in (a) of this subsection, the school district developing the student's IEP must provide or pay for these services to the student in a timely manner. The school district is authorized to claim reimbursement for the services from the noneducational public agency that failed to provide or pay for these services and that agency must reimburse the school district or state agency in accordance with the terms of the interagency agreement or other mechanism described in subsection (1) of this section.
(3) The requirements of subsection (1) of this section may be met through:
(a) State statute or regulation;
(b) Signed agreements between respective agency officials that clearly identify the responsibilities of each agency relating to the provision of services; or
(c) Other appropriate written methods determined by the superintendent of the office of public instruction.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
28A.155.090. WSR 21-19-065, § 392-172A-07000, filed 9/14/21, effective 10/15/21. Statutory Authority: RCW
28A.155.090 and 34 C.F.R. Part 300. WSR 13-20-034, § 392-172A-07000, filed 9/24/13, effective 10/25/13. Statutory Authority: RCW
28A.155.090(7) and 42 U.S.C. 1400 et. seq. WSR 07-14-078, § 392-172A-07000, filed 6/29/07, effective 7/30/07.]