North Dakota Interagency Coordinating Council Minutes September 11 2003

ND Heritage Center Bismarck, North Dakota

NDICC Members Present: ReNae Bearking, Peggy Crane, Bernard Hoggarth, Jeanette Kolberg, Tammy Gallup-Millner, Roxane Romanick, Angel Spottedhorse, Shawn Stettner

NDICC Members Absent: Paula Burkhard, Ramona Gunderson, Gene Hysjulien, Bill Lardy, Linda Rorman. DHS Staff: Deb Balsdon

Peg Crane called the meeting to order.

Topic: NDICC Priorities for Next Year
Action: After discussing current Early Intervention issues, the group identified the following five areas as priorities for the next year:

1. Collaboration

• Support the expansion of collaborative partnerships with Early Head Start, Child Care, Health, and Mental Health systems.
• Support the development of collaborative monitoring system that nurtures the growth of Regional Interagency Coordinating Committees and builds upon Early Intervention Quality Improvement Plans.
• Support the design of a joint Skills Development Model that is data driven.
• Support the delivery of behavior changing skills development opportunities in the areas of referrals; serving drug exposed infants and toddlers; Infant Toddler Mental Health screenings, evaluations and services; and other needs identified through Regional Quality Improvement Plans.

2. Communication

• Support the increased use of technology to improve timely and accurate communication with stakeholders.
• Support the development and refinement of material for families and service providers in the areas of Transition at 3, Natural Learning Opportunities and Medicaid eligibility.

3. Funding

• Track the increasing number of eligible infants and toddlers and support the reallocation of funds to expand the capacity of the Early Intervention service delivery system to appropriately serve all eligible infants and toddlers and their families.

4. Early Intervention Services

• Support the exploration and feasibility study of the utilization of technology to conduct evaluations and consultation via video conferencing techniques.
• Support the expansion of Early Intervention options for children and families living on Reservations.

5. IDEA Re-authorization

• Track the re-authorization of IDEA and make recommendations regarding the implementation of the new regulations.

Topic: Complaint Investigation Procedures
Action: The group recommended that Regional Interagency Coordinating Committee’s review and respond to findings of substantiated Complaints.

The NDICC then reconvened with the Part B IDEA Advisory Committee to determine joint priorities for the coming year and make recommendations regarding the scheduling of meetings.