GA Interagency Agreement between DHS and Head Start

Interagency Agreements for the Coordination
of a Statewide System of
Services for Children with Disabilities,
Ages Birth to Three Years, and their
Families

A collaborative effort among Georgia's

Department of Human Resources:
Division of Public Health - Babies Can't Wait Program (Part H)
Georgia Head Start Association
East Coast Migrant Head Start Project

May 30, 1995

AUTHORITY

The responsibilities and objectives delineated in this agreement are derive from the following federal legislation which require collaboration with other related federal and state initiatives:

• The individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) - Part H;

• The Head Start Act of 1994;

• The American with Disabilities Act (ADA) as enacted in 1990;

• Public Law 93-112: The Rehabilitation Act of 1973

PHILOSOPHY

The guiding philosophy of this agreement is to participate in a comprehensive system of services which:

a) identifies children with disabilities as early as possible,

b) provides early intervention services,

c) refers children who may be at risk for disabilities to other community resources in a timely manner,

d) increases outreach and services to under represented populations, and

e) focuses on the family and/or guardian as the primary caregiver.

Federal and state initiatives encourage the development of services for children with disabilities in natural environments and inclusive settings based on the needs of individual children and their families. Services will be provided in accordance with best early childhood practices. All systems and procedures will be:

• Family-centered

• Community-based

• Culturally and linguistically competent

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Agreement is to ensure cooperation and collaboration between Head Start and the Babies Can't Wait Program (Part H) in providing services for children with disabilities, ages birth to three and their families. This will be achieved through the following activities:

Development and modeling of collaborative relationships at the state level to minimize fragmentation and duplication at the local level.
Assistance to local communities in the development of collaborative relationships which result in effective, family-centered systems of service.
Delivery of coordinated comprehensive services.
Use of cooperative training efforts to ensure that personnel are familiar with resources and trained in best practices.
Collaborative planning to ensure that resources are adequately identified, appropriately used, and maximized.

The content of this Agreement specifies the roles and responsibilities of Head Start and Babies Can't Wait (Part H) related to services for children with disabilities, ages birth to three, and their families.

AREAS OF OPERATION

Information and Orientation - Head Start and Babies Can't Wait (Part H) will attain and maintain a working knowledge in regards to each other's eligibility criteria, services and confidentiality procedures.

Public Awareness - Head Start and Babies Can't Wait (Part H) will coordinate their public awareness activities so that families and private sector providers are informed abut the availability of agency-specific services.

Child Count - Head Start and Babies Can't Wait (Part H) will involve each other in mandated data collection efforts, as necessary.

Child Find - Head Start and Babies Can't Wait (Part H) will coordinate their child find efforts to identify and recruit eligible children, in accordance with federal and state mandates.

Confidentiality - Head Start and Babies Can't Wait (Part H) will provide copies of records which originated within the agency when accompanied by written parental consent. Programs will use forms and procedures which comply with respective federal and state requirements.

Evaluation and Assessment - Head Start and Babies Can't Wait (Part H) will share information about their evaluation and assessment systems and will coordinate their efforts to avoid unnecessary or duplicative procedures and to facilitate transition.

Related Services - Head Start and Babies Can't Wait (Part H) will develop collaborative strategies for providing related services according to each eligible child's Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). Babies Can't Wait staff will participate in the development of a Head Start Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and/or IFSP, as necessary.

Personnel Preparation - Head Start and Babies Can't Wait (Part H) will publicize and make their professional development activities available to one another. Programs will collaborate on issues of mutual concern and will develop joint activities.

Transfer of Services - Head Start and Babies Can't Wait (Part H) will implement existing IFSPs when a child with a disability transfers from one service area to another, whether in-state or out-of-state. Participating agencies have 30 days to review and revise the IFSP.

Transition - Head Start and Babies Can't Wait (Part H) will ensure a smooth transition for families, and maintain on-going, clear communication as they move from program to program, from setting to setting, and in and out of services. Programs will provide information to families, schedule meetings with families and invite participating agency representatives to develop an appropriate transition plan for the child and his/her family.

PERIODIC REVIEW AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION

This Agreement will be in effect upon signatures of the Director of the DHR Division of Public Health, the President of the Georgia Head Start Association, and the Executive Director of the East Coast Migrant Head Start Project. The agreement will be submitted to each agency by May 1 and returned by May 30 for annual review and may be amended by the request of either agency. Any proposed amendment or modification shall be discussed during an interagency meeting conducted by staff of each agency, with representation from the State Interagency Coordinating Council for Early Intervention Programs. Each agency head or his duly authorized representative must concur on any amendments.

In instances of interagency conflict, differences shall be resolved in accordance with the following procedures:

Staff from the grieving agency shall provide written communication which identifies the conflict, proposed action, and a summary of factual, legal and policy grounds.
Staff from both agencies will meet to discuss the issues and proposed solutions, as necessary. If the agencies are unable to resolve the conflict, the issue shall be brought before the President of the Head Start Association and the Director of the Division of Public Health with the Chair of the State Interagency Coordinating Council as a third neutral party.
A written response, which includes proposed solutions to the conflict shall be provided by staff from the receiving agency within 45 days of receipt of the notice of conflict.
Upon resolution of the conflict, a joint communiqué so indicating will be developed and disseminated by a representative of each agency.