Resolve, Directing the Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Education To Enter into a Memorandum of Understanding Regarding Early Childhood Intervention

Sec. 1. Memorandum of understanding between Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Education. Resolved: That, by October 1, 2009, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Education shall enter into a memorandum of understanding or amend an existing memorandum of understanding. The memorandum of understanding must set forth a service pathway for preschool children from birth to 5 years of age, clearly coordinating the services provided by each department to this age group. The memorandum of understanding must establish criteria, including, but not limited to, criteria that ensure:

1. That the Child Development Services System, as defined in Title 20-A, section 7001, subsection 1-A, remains an independent entity from the public schools recognizing the specialized needs of preschool children;

2. That the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Education develop interagency, provider and family communication and planning regarding child development services issues for preschool children from birth to 5 years of age, in addition to the advisory functions provided by the state interagency coordinating council described in the federal Individuals with Disabilities Act, 20 United States Code, Section 1441 and the state advisory panel described in 34 Code of Federal Regulations, Sections 300.167 to 300.169;

3. That the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Education ensure that children enrolled in programs for early childhood screening, diagnosis, or treatment in either department, including MaineCare and Child Development Services System programs, participate in a seamless, coordinated system that allows referrals to either department for families requiring services; and

4. That the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Education enhance the efficacy and identify cost savings of child find activities through better coordination of the department systems; and be it further

Sec. 2. Report. Resolved: That the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Education shall report jointly to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters and the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over education matters regarding the implementation of the memorandum of understanding under section 1 by January 15, 2010. The departments shall jointly provide an evaluation by January 15, 2011 to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters and the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over education matters of the impact of the memorandum of understanding on the services provided to preschool children from birth to 5 years of age. After receipt and review of the evaluation, the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters and the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over education matters may report out any necessary legislation.

SUMMARY

This resolve directs the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Education to enter into a memorandum of understanding regarding early childhood intervention. This resolve also directs the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Education to report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over education matters regarding the implementation of the memorandum of understanding by January 15, 2010.