The County Children’s Services Facilitation Team (CSFT) should staff the child locally.  If the County CSFT is unable to address the child’s special needs the local representatives should contact their state counterparts (see CRC membership list).  The County CSFT will be provided with guidance regarding the steps to take to address the child’s needs prior to the CRC staffing.  For example, if a program has accepted a child and the admission date will occur prior to the CRC staffing, the “lead agency” could decide to admit the child into the program and agree to accept financial responsibility up to the date of the CRC staffing.  Upon staffing the child’s case the CRC might approve retroactive funding from the date of admission.  It is important to note that in order to be considered for funding for services the child must be referred to the CRC within one month of placement or service provision.  

     Agencies can provide approval prior to the CRC staffing if it is determined by the agency that the child might otherwise be denied service.  This agency to agency approval must take place prior to admission.  As noted above, the local team members should contact their state counterparts to obtain this approval prior to admission. 

     Once a child is staffed by the CRC, the County CSFT can contact the MNC Office to obtain the results of the CRC staffing.  The official SCSFT meeting does not occur until the second Tuesday of the month but if the child is approved for services, the MNC Office can assist the local team in initiating the needed service prior to the official SCSFT staffing.