Referral Status Update (RSU) Form Guidance and Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Referral Status Update (RSU) form? 

The RSU form serves to facilitate communication between the referral source for the child and the Early Intervention (EI) Colorado professional who is the family’s main point of contact. It is intended to be the document used to notify the referral source of the receipt of the referral, provide the contact information for the assigned early intervention professional, and, with the family’s consent, notify the referral source of the results of the evaluation and/or assessment and services. It is important that consent is gained whenever possible to inform referral sources of the status of the referral so they can support families appropriately. 

Why are there changes to the RSU form?

The previous RSU form had limitations regarding the extent of the information that could be conveyed on the form. These included but were not limited to: notifying the referral source when necessary information was missing from the referral; communicating clearly about a family’s desire not to share updates with the referral source in some cases; if the child was over the age of three or within 45 days of turning three and therefore an early intervention Part C evaluation would not be conducted; if the child was close to age three and the family opted for an evaluation to determine eligibility for Part B preschool special education instead of an early intervention Part C evaluation; who the Administrative Unit (AU) is for a child close to the age of three; contact information for the family’s main EI Colorado professional; and other highly pertinent information to the referral process. EI Colorado has amended the form to include this information when relevant, increasing the form’s ability for complete information sharing in the referral process.

Which referrals get the RSU form?

Any referral received by EI Colorado which has adequate referral source contact information will have the RSU form completed and sent. Referrals with limited or incomplete referral source contact information may not be able to receive updates. Referral sources who wish to receive RSUs should be sure to include, at minimum, a primary point of contact and an email address or fax number on the referral.

Who completes the RSU form?

At this time, all referrals to EI Colorado are processed by a care navigator on the EI Colorado state team or by an initial service coordinator at a local EI program. An EI Colorado professional is responsible for completing and sending the RSU form when needed through either of these referral paths. 

When will a referral source receive a RSU form?

It is required that a care navigator or initial service coordinator be assigned to any referral within three working days from the date of a referral and the family should be contacted as soon as possible after being assigned a service coordinator, but not longer than seven calendar days from the date of the referral. Three attempts will be made to contact the family. If the family does not respond, an RSU form will be sent indicating the family was not contacted. In most cases, referral sources should receive a RSU within seven business days.

How many RSUs will be sent?

The RSU form should be sent when there is a change in status. How many times this occurs depends on many factors, such as whether the family offers full, partial or no consent for updates to be sent, whether the child is eligible for early intervention services, and/or several other factors relevant to the referral process. A RSU form will be sent for any referral with complete referral source information. 

• The first RSU is intended to convey that the referral has been successfully received. It may also contain contact information for the EI Colorado professional who is the family’s current point of contact. If the referral contains missing information, the first RSU may also communicate that. 

• The second RSU will often be sent after contact is made with the family and an evaluation is scheduled or if the family cannot be reached. It may also be sent to indicate that, after having been informed about EI Colorado, the family has declined to move forward in the referral process.

• A third RSU may be sent after the evaluation or assessment has taken place. It will typically communicate whether the child is eligible for early intervention services unless the family has declined to share this information with the referral source.

  • If a child is eligible, the responsibility to send further updates rests on the receiving local EI program. 

  • If a child is not eligible, an EI Colorado care navigator is responsible for sending the third update. 

• A fourth RSU could be sent to indicate what services a child might be receiving and their frequency, especially in cases where it is not necessary or the family declines to share the entire Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). If the family consents, the referral source may request a copy of the complete IFSP from the EI Colorado professional listed as the family’s current point of contact.

• Additional RSUs may be sent as needed using the fillable “__ Update” field.