§1441 State Interagency Coordinating Council

Summary

States that want federal money must create a State interagency coordinating council. The Governor picks the members and must try to make the group reflect the State’s population. The Governor also names (or requires the group to pick) a chair. A person who represents the lead agency for early intervention cannot be the chair. The council must include at least 20 percent parents of infants or toddlers with disabilities or children with disabilities aged 12 or younger (and at least one parent of a child 6 or younger), and at least 20 percent early intervention service providers. It must also include at least one person from the State legislature, one involved in personnel training, and at least one representative with planning authority from each State agency that provides or pays for early intervention services. The council must also have at least one member from the State preschool education agency, the State Medicaid agency, Head Start, the State child care agency, the agency that regulates health insurance, a representative designated for homeless children, the State child welfare agency for foster care, and the State children’s mental health agency. The Governor may add other members, such as a Bureau of Indian Affairs, Indian Health Service, or tribal representative. The council must meet at least quarterly, announce meetings to the public, and make them open when appropriate. With the Governor’s approval, it may use funds to hold hearings, pay staff, and reimburse or compensate members for reasonable expenses (including child care or lost wages). The council must advise and help the lead agency on funding, interagency agreements, and applications; help the education agency with preschool transitions; and send an annual report to the Governor and the Secretary on early intervention programs. Members cannot vote on matters that would give them a direct financial benefit or create a conflict of interest under State law.