Vermont § 4702 - System for services to children at risk of school failure

§ 4702. System for services to children at risk of school failure

• (a) As used in this chapter: (1) “At risk” means those children from birth to age 72 months who have a diagnosed physical
  or mental condition that has a high probability of resulting in a developmental delay,
  or who have a high probability of experiencing failure in school due to biological,
  medical, or environmental factors. (2) “School failure” means failure to develop essential skills in reading, writing, and
  mathematics appropriate to age level. (b) The Secretaries of Human Services and of Education shall develop and implement, through
  community-based organizations, a coordinated system of State and local agencies that
  identifies children at risk of school failure, makes available to them and their families,
  as eligible and willing, coordinated early education and support services individually
  designed with each family and based on a family’s identified needs, and encourages
  parents to use these services. After an informational meeting and prior to family
  participation in any screenings or services to be conducted in the home, the provider
  visiting the home shall explain the confidentiality policies and abuse and neglect
  reporting requirements. A parent shall be required to sign a form acknowledging their
  awareness of these policies and requirements. All services shall be voluntary, and
  when a local community chooses to offer services in the home, an alternative site
  shall be provided for families desiring services but not home visits. (c) This system shall be accessible to local public review and comment in the Agency of
  Human Services districts where these programs are in service through two warned public
  meetings per year. Two weeks in advance of these meetings, documents that fully describe
  program activities, including reports, budgets, plans, and working guidelines, shall
  be made available to school boards in program service areas and at the area lead agency.
  These meetings shall be co-chaired by an elected school board director or superintendent
  in the district and an official of the program’s lead agency. The lead agency in each
  district, in cooperation with the Agencies of Human Services and of Education, shall
  annually present a report of its activities and expenditures to appropriate committees
  of the General Assembly. (d) The Agency of Education and the Agency of Human Services shall have authority to adopt
  rules under 3 V.S.A. chapter 25 as necessary to implement this chapter. In addition,
  either agency shall initiate rule-making if requested by a majority of the involved
  community-based lead agencies, or by the public as provided in 3 V.S.A. § 831(c). (e) Nothing in this chapter shall create an entitlement. (Added 1989, No. 266 (Adj. Sess.) § 1; amended 1993, No. 154 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 2013, No. 92 (Adj. Sess.), § 300, eff. Feb. 14, 2014; 2021, No. 20, § 332.)