Title: Section 69-4.13 - Local early intervention coordinating councils

69-4.13 Local early intervention coordinating councils.

(a) A local early intervention coordinating council shall be established in each municipality and shall consist of the following members appointed by the early intervention official:

(1) at least four parents of children with disabilities age birth through twelve years of age;

(2) at least three public or private providers of early intervention services;

(3) at least one child care provider or representative of child care providers;

(4) the chief executive officers or their designees of the municipalities' departments of social services, health and mental hygiene; and, a representative from the local developmental disabilities services office; and

(5) a representative from one or more committees on preschool special education of local school districts in the municipality.

(b) If membership requirements cannot be reasonably met, the early intervention official may submit a written request to the Commissioner for a waiver of such requirements.

(c) The local early intervention coordinating council shall meet, in open forum accessible to the general public preferably quarterly, but in no event less than every six months. The early intervention official shall ensure appropriate public notice of the meeting, which shall include its purpose, date, time, and location. The notice shall be within a sufficient time period prior to the meeting to enable public participation.

(d) The local early intervention coordinating councils shall advise their early intervention officials regarding:

(1) the planning for, delivery and evaluation of the early intervention services for eligible children and their families, including methods to identify and address gaps in services;

(2) the identification of service delivery reforms necessary to promote the availability of early intervention services within natural environments;

(3) the coordination of public and private agencies;

(4) such other matters relating to early intervention policies and procedures within the municipality as are brought to its attention by parents, providers, public agencies, or others.

(e) The council will report annually to the early intervention official on the adequacy of the early intervention system to ensure the availability of family centered, coordinated services; and interface with other existing planning bodies that serve like populations.