Policy on services to preschool children with disabilities; agency coordination of services

(1) It is the policy of this state to respect the unique nature of each child, family and community with particular attention to cultural and linguistic diversity, and to support a system of services for preschool children with a disability and their families that: (a) Recognizes the importance of the preschool child’s family, supports and builds on each family’s strengths and respects family decision-making and input regarding service options and public policy. (b) Identifies, evaluates and refers services for preschool children with a disability at the earliest possible time. (c) Uses specialized services and all other community services and programs for children, including community preschools, Head Start programs, community health clinics, family support programs and other child-oriented agencies. (d) Uses a variety of funding sources for preschool children with a disability and their families, including public and private funding, insurance and family resources. (e) Assists families in utilizing necessary services in the most cost-effective and efficient manner possible by using a coordinated planning and implementation process. (f) Insures that all children and their families, regardless of disability, risk factors or cultural or linguistic differences, are able to utilize services for which they would otherwise be qualified. (g) Encourages services and supports for preschool children with a disability and their families in their home communities and in settings with children without a disability. (h) Recognizes the importance of developing and supporting well-trained and competent personnel to provide services to preschool children with a disability, and their families. (i) Evaluates the system’s impact on the child and family, including child progress, service quality, family satisfaction, transition into public schooling, longitudinal and cumulative reporting over several biennia and interagency coordination at both the state and local level. (j) Reports information described in paragraph (i) of this subsection to the State Interagency Coordinating Council, the Governor, the Department of Early Learning and Care, the State Board of Education, the public universities listed in ORS 352.002 and the Legislative Assembly each biennium. (2) In carrying out the provisions of subsection (1) of this section, the Department of Education, the Department of Early Learning and Care, the Department of Human Services and the public universities listed in ORS 352.002 shall coordinate the provision of services to preschool children with a disability with other services that are provided to children with a disability, or who are at risk of developing disabling conditions, and their families. All program planning, standards for service, policies regarding services delivery and budget development for services for preschool children with a disability, children with a disability, and the families of those children shall reflect the policy outlined in subsection (1) of this section and elaborated through rules and agreements.