Chapter 8C. Early Intervention for Children.

Subchapter I. Early Intervention, 1995.

§ 7–861. Program establishment. [Repealed]

Repealed.

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§ 7–862. Rules. [Repealed]

Repealed. .

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Subchapter II. Early Intervention, 2005.

§ 7–863.01. Short title.

This subchapter may be cited as the “Early Intervention Program Establishment Act of 2004”.

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§ 7–863.02. Purpose.

The purpose of this subchapter is:

(1) To enhance the development of infants and toddlers with disabilities and to minimize their potential for developmental delay;

(2) To reduce the educational costs to our society, including our schools, by minimizing the need for special education and related services after infants and toddlers with disabilities reach school age;

(3) To minimize the likelihood for institutionalization of individuals with disabilities and maximize the potential for their independent living in society;

(4) To enhance the capacity of families to meet the special needs of their infants and toddlers with disabilities;

(5) To establish collaborative activities among agencies of the District of Columbia that administer programs relating to young children to maximize the quality of early intervention services; and

(6) To enhance the capacity of city agencies and service providers to identify, evaluate, and meet the special needs of historically under-represented populations, particularly minorities and low-income and inner-city populations.

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§ 7–863.03. Establishment of Early Intervention Program and Interagency Coordinating Council.

(a) There is established in the District of Columbia an Early Intervention Program (“Program”) to provide early intervention services to infants and toddlers, from birth through 2 years of age, and their families. The program shall be administered by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education. The services shall be provided in accordance with the requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, approved June 4, 1997 (111 Stat. 37; 20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq.).

(b) There is established an Interagency Coordinating Council to advise and assist the Mayor with the implementation of the Program, including the establishment of interagency agreements.

(c) Early intervention services shall not be required under this subchapter, if a minor’s parent or guardian submits in good faith a written notarized statement to the appropriate official affirming the intervention in question would violate the established tenets and practices of the parent’s or guardian’s church or religious denomination.

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§ 7–863.03a. Transfer from Department of Human Services; continuation.

(a) All positions, personnel, property, records, and unexpended balances of appropriations, allocations, and other funds available or to be made available to the Department of Human Services that support functions related to the responsibilities of the Early Care and Education Administration and the Early Intervention Program and all of the powers, duties, and functions delegated to the Department of Human Services concerning the establishment, development, and institution of functions related to the Early Care and Education Administration and the Early Intervention Program are transferred to the Office of the State Superintendent of Education, established by § 38-2601. The transfer shall be implemented in accordance with the transition plan required by § 38-2605.01.

(b) All rules, orders, obligations, determinations, grants, contracts, licenses, and agreements of the Board of Education, the District of Columbia Public Schools, the Department of Human Services, or the University of the District of Columbia relating to functions transferred to the Office of the State Superintendent of Education under subsection (a) of this section shall remain in effect according to their terms until lawfully amended, repealed, or modified.

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§ 7–863.04. Rules.

The Mayor, pursuant to subchapter I of Chapter 5 of Title 2, may issue rules to implement the provisions of this subchapter.

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