WHAT ROLE DOES THE ICC PLAY?

The Council functions as a planning body at the systems level and advocates for children birth to three years of age and their families with or at-risk for a developmental disability. The Council acts in three major roles:

(1) ADVISOR: Providing advice to the Lead Agency, Governor and the state legislature on issues related to the development of a coordinated system of early intervention services for children with or at-risk for a developmental disability and their families.

The federal law defines the Council membership and the program in order to give it a unique view of the "service systems".

The parent component of the Council gives it a perspective which may be different from that presented by state agencies which are represented on the Council.

The Council can use its special vantage point to be recognized as a source of information for the Lead Agency, Governor, and legislators, as well as other key decision makers in the state.

(2) NEGOTIATOR: Working as an advocate to encourage a particular course of action by the state.

A major activity of the Council is to "review and comment on the annual state plan for services for children birth to three years" as part of its overall responsibility to assess the service system as it exists in the state. This information as well as interagency coordination is another important goal of the program and puts the Council in a position to be effective in making changes in how services are provided in the state. With agency and provider representatives on the Council, communication can more easily be effected and gaps between agencies can hopefully be bridged.

(3) CAPACITY BUILDER: Enhancing the ability of the overall service system to address service needs.

In this role, the Council works to increase the quality and quantity of desired supports and services from the public and private sectors, to ensure that all needy children and families will be provided early intervention services.

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