Rep. Elizabeth Coulson

Filed: 3/31/2009

 

 


 

 


 
09600HB2662ham001 LRB096 04453 DRJ 24819 a

1
AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL 2662

2     AMENDMENT NO. ______. Amend House Bill 2662 by replacing
3 everything after the enacting clause with the following:
 
4     "Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the
5 Illinois Part C Early Intervention Taskforce Act.
 
6     Section 5. Legislative findings. The General Assembly
7 finds the following:
8         (1) Illinois' Early Intervention program's mission is
9     to ensure that families who have infants and toddlers,
10     birth to age 3, with diagnosed disabilities, developmental
11     delays, or substantial risk of significant delays receive
12     resources and supports that assist them in maximizing their
13     child's development, while respecting the diversity of
14     families and communities.
15         (2) The Illinois Early Intervention services include,
16     but are not limited to: developmental evaluations and

 

 

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1     assessments, physical therapy, occupational therapy,
2     speech/language therapy, developmental therapy, service
3     coordination, psychological services, and social work
4     services.
5         (3) The Part C Early Intervention system has not had a
6     broad review by stakeholders since 2000.
7         (4) The stakeholders have agreed that the Part C Early
8     Intervention System needs to be reviewed by a broad group
9     of stakeholders to ensure that all eligible children and
10     families are receiving quality services.
 
11     Section 10. Taskforce created.
12     (a) The Illinois Part C Early Intervention Taskforce is
13 created to partner with the Department of Human Services to
14 undertake a comprehensive and thorough review of the Early
15 Intervention system and develop recommendations and an action
16 plan to address issues related to workforce, financing,
17 monitoring and evaluation, service delivery, and transitions.
18     (b) The Taskforce shall be convened by the Department of
19 Human Services. The Taskforce shall be co-chaired by a staff
20 member from the Department of Human Services and a staff member
21 from Voices for Illinois Children.
22     (c) The Taskforce shall be composed of the following
23 members:
24         (1) One representative from the Governor's office.
25         (2) Two members of the Illinois House of

 

 

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1     Representatives.
2         (3) Two members of the Illinois Senate.
3         (4) The director of the Division of Community Health
4     and Prevention within the Department of Human Services, or
5     his or her designees.
6         (5) The director of the Division of Mental Health
7     within the Department of Human Services, or his or her
8     designee.
9         (6) The director of the Illinois State Board of
10     Education, Special Education Division, or his or her
11     designee.
12         (7) The Director of Children and Family Services, or
13     his or her designee.
14         (8) The Director of Healthcare and Family Services, or
15     his or her designee.
16     The Taskforce shall also include at least one
17 representative from each of the following groups, with no more
18 than 30 members in total:
19         (9) Advocacy organizations that focus on early
20     childhood, health, or issues related to early
21     intervention.
22         (10) Professional groups with members who provide
23     services for or make referrals to the Illinois Part C Early
24     Intervention system.
25         (11) Groups that are affiliated with the Early
26     Intervention system for training and consultation.

 

 

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1         (12) The Illinois Interagency Council on Early
2     Intervention.
3         (13) Child and Family Connections (CFC) managers or
4     staff.
5         (14) Parents with children in the Part C Early
6     Intervention system.
7         (15) The University of Illinois Division of
8     Specialized Care for Children.
9     (d) Taskforce members shall be reimbursed for their travel
10 expenses from appropriations to the Department of Human
11 Services available for that purpose and subject to the rules of
12 the appropriate travel control board.
 
13     Section 15. Taskforce convening and conclusion; report.
14     (a) The Taskforce shall be convened by July 1, 2009 and
15 shall be dissolved on January 1, 2010.
16     (b) The Taskforce shall submit a written report of its
17 findings, recommendations, and action plan to the Governor and
18 the General Assembly by January 1, 2010.
 
19     Section 20. Taskforce support and funding.
20     (a) The Department of Human Services shall provide
21 administrative and other support to the Taskforce.
22     (b) The Taskforce's operation shall be funded with
23 appropriations made to the Department of Human Services for
24 that purpose.
 

 

 

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1     Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
2 becoming law.".