§1441 State Interagency Coordinating Council

Summary

A State must set up a State interagency coordinating council to get federal funding for early intervention services. The Governor appoints the council and must make its membership reflect the State’s population. The Governor also picks the chair or requires the council to pick one, but the chair cannot be a representative of the lead agency named under section 1435(a)(10). The council must meet at least quarterly, announce meetings publicly, and make them open and accessible when appropriate. At least 20 percent of members must be parents of young children with disabilities (and at least one must be a parent of a child age 6 or younger). At least 20 percent must be service providers. The council must include at least one member from each of these: the State legislature; personnel preparation; each State agency that provides or pays for early intervention services; the State education agency for preschool; the State Medicaid agency; Head Start; the State child care agency; the agency that regulates health insurance; the Office for Education of Homeless Children and Youth; the State child welfare agency for foster care; and the State agency for children’s mental health. The Governor may add others, including tribal representatives. With Governor approval, the council may set a budget using funds under the program to hold hearings, pay necessary expenses (including child care for parent members), compensate members who lose wages, hire staff, and get professional or clerical help. The council must advise and help the lead agency on funding, assigning financial responsibility, and interagency agreements; help prepare applications and amendments; advise the State education agency on transitions to preschool; and send an annual report to the Governor and the Secretary about early intervention programs. The council may also advise on services for children from birth through age 5 and on serving at-risk infants and toddlers. No member may vote on any matter that would give them a direct financial benefit or create an apparent conflict of interest under State law.