Mississippi § 41-87-12 - Local interagency coordinating councils; duties; membership.

§ 41-87-12. Local interagency coordinating councils; duties; membership.

For the purposes of this chapter, the state council will recognize or facilitate the formation of district and local interagency councils to plan and coordinate services, in conjunction with the district office of the lead agency, for eligible infants and toddlers and their families who reside within the county or counties served by the councils. Local councils may enter into contractual agreements with the lead agency to become primary service agencies. The duties of local interagency coordinating councils shall include: Identifying existing early intervention services and resources; Identifying gaps in the service delivery system and developing strategies to address these gaps; Identifying alternative funding sources; Facilitating the development of interagency agreements and supporting the development of service coalitions; Assisting in the implementation of policies and procedures that will promote interagency collaboration; Developing local procedures and determining mechanisms for implementing policies and procedures in accordance with state and federal statutes and regulations; Developing a local interagency plan for the coordination of early intervention services to infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families; Collecting necessary and appropriate data on early intervention service provision in the area; Serving as the fiscal and or contracting agent for a local community for the provision of early intervention services, training or planning. Local interagency coordinating councils shall be composed of community members who are interested in supporting coordinated early intervention services, representatives of all local agencies serving infants and toddlers, medical professionals, public and private service providers, parents of persons with disabilities, community and business leaders and local agencies.