(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 disabilities and their families that:
(a) Recognizes the importance of the 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 disabilities 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 disabilities 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 disabilities and their families in their home communities and in settings with children without disabilities.
(h) Recognizes the importance of developing and supporting well-trained and competent personnel to provide services to preschool children with disabilities, 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 Superintendent of Public Instruction, the State Board of Education 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 Human Services and the Department of Higher Education shall coordinate services to preschool children with disabilities, 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 disabilities, and their families shall reflect the policy outlined in subsection (1) of this section and elaborated through rules and agreements. [1991 c.749 §7; 1995 c.79 §187]
Note: Section 8, chapter 409, Oregon Laws 1993, provides:
Sec. 8. Effect of unavailability of federal funds on programs for preschool children. If federal funds are not available for programs for preschool children with disabilities for children from birth to three years of age, the program shall be continued with state funding at least at the current level but the additional requirements imposed on the program by this Act shall not be required and school districts shall not be required to comply with the additional requirements. [1993 c.409 §8]
Section: Previous 343.435 343.440 343.441 343.445 343.450 343.455 343.460 343.465 343.470 343.475 343.480 343.485 343.490 343.495 343.498 NextLast modified: August 7, 2008