§1441 State interagency coordinating council

Summary

A State that wants federal money must set up a State interagency coordinating council. The Governor picks the members and must make the group reflect the State’s population. The Governor also names the chair. A person who represents the lead agency named elsewhere in federal law cannot be the chair. The council must include at least 20% parents of infants, toddlers, or children with disabilities (and at least one parent of a child age 6 or younger) and at least 20% public or private early intervention providers. It must also include at least one member from the State legislature, one involved in personnel training, and at least one representative from each State agency that provides or pays for early intervention services who has authority to plan and carry out policy. There must be at least one member from the State agency responsible for preschool special education, one from the State Medicaid agency, one from Head Start, one from the State child care agency, one from the agency that regulates health insurance, one designated by the Office for Homeless Children and Youth, one from child welfare for foster care, and one from the agency for children’s mental health. The Governor can add other members, including a Bureau of Indian Affairs or tribal representative when appropriate. The council must meet at least quarterly, announce meetings publicly, and make them open when suitable. With the Governor’s OK, it may use funds to hold hearings, pay for member expenses (including child care), compensate members who lose wages, hire staff, and get professional help. The council must advise and help the lead agency on funding, financial responsibility, and interagency agreements; help with applications; help the education agency with transitions to preschool; and send an annual report to the Governor and the Secretary about early intervention services. Members cannot vote on matters that would give them a direct financial benefit or create an apparent conflict under State law.