I. Scope
II.  Background
     Target Population and Service Providers
     Coordinating Bodies
III. Implementation of This Agreement
IV. Roles and Responsibilities of the Standing Committee with Regard to Implementation
V. Dissemination
VI. Effective Date

 

Among the Following Agencies and Organizations: Michigan Department of Education, Michigan Family Independence Agency, and United States Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families (Regions V, Migrant and American Indian)

I. Scope

The purpose of this written Interagency Agreement (revision And update of the 1993 Michigan Interagency Agreement) is to enhance the level of communication and cooperative planning between the Michigan Department of Education, the Michigan Family Independence Agency, and the United States Department of Health and Human Services/Administration for Children and Families (HHS/ACF) (Regions V, Migrant, and American Indian). The intent of this agreement is to:

1. promote statewide coordination and cooperation in communication and planning on issues which affect young children with disabilities, suspected disabilities, or development delays;
2. assist the coordination and collaboration between and among Head Start, Intermediate School Districts, Local Education Agencies, the Family independence Agency, the families of young children with disabilities, suspected disabilities, or developmental delays, child care providers, and early education; and
3. support the development and implementation of written local interagency agreements to achieve improved services for children with disabilities suspected disabilities, or developmental delays and their families.

II.  Background

1. Target Population and Service Providers

In Michigan, there are an estimated 15,000 children from birth through age 6 with disabilities, suspected disabilities, or developmental delays. Frequently, children and their families receive early intervention, developmental, or educational services from:

• Head Start and Early Head Start,
• Migrant Head Start, and
• American Indian Head Start (all federally funded, hereafter collectively referred to as Head Start); and
  the Michigan School Readiness Program for four‑year‑old children "at risk" of school failure,
• Early On ® Michigan (Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act),
  
• Project Find,
• Local and Intermediate School District special education programs (Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), and
• Child Care and Development Block Grant Funds set aside for three‑year‑old children "at risk" of school failure and school age child care (all state‑administered programs).

All of these programs are linked in efforts to find, identify, refer, and develop services for children and their families. These entities address different and equally important needs. Children and their families benefit from placement in natural and/or least restrictive environments and shared programming. Each program recognizes the significance of family contributions to the development of a child. Families and staff have the potential to develop coordinated and complementary services, promoting optimal development for children within families early childhood settings, and communities. The Great Lakes Head Start Quality Network and Quality Improvement Center for Disabilities provide training and technical assistance (T/TA) to Head Start grantees and others.

2. Coordinating Bodies

1. Michigan's Head Start‑State Collaboration Program (HSSCP), under the auspices of the Family Independence Agency, was established to foster collaboration between state and local agencies and Head Start. The pursuit of this goal includes efforts for the improvement of life outcomes and opportunities for young children, including young children with disabilities, suspected disabilities, and developmental delays. The HSSCP serves as a catalyst to the development and expansion of existing programmatic and systems‑building initiatives to improve the way services and supports for young children are designed, delivered, coordinated, and organized in Michigan.

The HSSCP employs specific strategies to address seven priority areas for children and families     

• Children with Disabilities, Suspected Disabilities, and Developmental Delays,
• Child Care,
• Health Care,
• Education,
• Welfare,
• National Service, and
• Family Literacy.

2. The Governor's State interagency Coordinating Council for Handicapped Infants and Toddlers (SICC) was established to advise and assist the Department of Education in its role as lead agency for the implementation of a statewide system of early intervention services for infants and toddlers with established conditions or developmental delays under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

The SICC is charged to promote related interagency agreements and to advise and assist the Department of Education regarding the:

• identification of sources of fiscal and other support for services;
• provision of appropriate services for children birth to age five, inclusive; and,
• transition of toddlers receiving services under Part C to preschool or other appropriate services.

III. Implementation of This Agreement

A standing committee of the SICC will be established to implement this agreement. It will serve as a liaison between the SICC and the HSSCP

IV. Roles and Responsibilities of the Standing Committee with Regard to Implementation

1. Serve as a state level network in support of programs that serve young children with disabilities, suspected disabilities, and developmental delays.
2. Consider and recommend policy changes. Review and evaluate proposed policy changes at the state and federal levels consistent with the intent of this Agreement.
3. Coordinate opportunities for sharing financial resources.
4. Examine the joint delivery of services to the families of children with disabilities, suspected disabilities or developmental delays using a unified family service planning document.
5. Facilitate training and access resources for activities such as:
   • the development of local interagency agreements;
   • the coordination of outreach, recruitment, screening and referral of all, children and families ensuring access to those traditionally under represented;
   • the use of nonbiased methods/instruments in the child's native tongue for referrals and evaluations;
   • shared programming and information;
   • coordination of transportation for all children;
   • shared participation, services, training, and consultations with parents and family members;
   • the transition of children and families between and among program settings;
   • participation in local interagency coordinating councils or other interagency groups as appropriate; and
   • shared staff development.
6. Promote and recommend opportunities for unified planning and coordination for all young children at the local, county, and/or regional level.
7. Submit a status report activities implemented under this agreement to the Michigan State Board of Education, the Michigan Family Independence Agency, the Administration for Children and Families (Regions V, XI, and XII), and the Great Lakes Head Start Quality Network/Quality Improvement Center for Disabilities.

V. Dissemination
This Agreement will be disseminated to signatories, Inter‑mediate School Districts, Local Education Agencies, Local Interagency Coordinating Councils, Local Multi‑Purpose Collaborative Bodies, and all Michigan Head Start Grantees.

VI. Effective Date
This Agreement shall take effect immediately upon signing, documenting the intent of each agent to meet the responsibilities inherent in the Agreement.