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SICC Louisiana State Interagency Coordinating Council (SICC) ----collaboratively serving young children and families Overview The legislation for infants and toddlers with special needs and their families, Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA), calls for a comprehensive system of coordinated early intervention services. In Experience has shown that families with young children with special needs frequently require a range of services which cannot be provided entirely by a single agency. Intervening with coordinated health, social, and educational services during the first three years of life increases developmental and educational gains for the child, improves family function, and reduces the costs of special care later in life. In drafting the original legislation, Congress recognized the need for a group outside of the Lead Agency to “advise and assist” in the development of this comprehensive system of coordinated early intervention services. The SICC is required by statute to be appointed by the Governor and is an important participant in the development and implementation of such a system. The Louisiana SICC is an independent board that operates within the Office of the Governor. Purpose The purpose of Louisiana’s SICC is to advise and assist the Lead Agency in the performance of its responsibilities, particularly in regard to: (a) identification of the sources of fiscal and other support for early intervention services; (b) assignment of financial responsibility to the appropriate agency; and, (c) promotion of interagency agreements. The SICC also advises and assists the Lead Agency in the preparation of applications, the transition of infants and toddlers to preschool or other appropriate services, and the preparation and submission of an annual report to the Governor and to appropriate federal authorities on the Status of Early Steps: Membership The SICC is composed of: (1) at least 20% parents of children with disabilities; (2) at least 20% public or private providers of early intervention services; (3) at least one member from the state legislature; (4) at least one member representing personnel preparation; (5) at least one representative from each of the state agencies involved in the provision of, or payment for, early intervention services; (6) at least one member from the state education agency responsible for preschool services; (7) at least one member from the agency responsible for the state Medicaid program; (8) at least one member representing a Head start agency or program in the state; (9) at least one member representing the agency responsible for child care; (10) at least one member representing the agency responsible for the state regulation of health insurance; (11) at least one member representing the Education of Homeless Children and Youth; (12) at least one member from the state welfare agency responsible for foster care; (13) at least one member from the state agency responsible for children’s mental health; and, (14) other members selected by the Governor. The statutory requirements for membership allow
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