(1) Each local commission on children and families, as part of the local coordinated comprehensive plan developed under ORS 417.775 for the county or region, shall lead and coordinate the development of a voluntary local early childhood system plan that shall focus on the needs of children who are zero through eight years of age and their families. Local Oregon prekindergarten programs, early childhood special education programs and early intervention services shall collaborate and participate with the local commission in the development and implementation of the voluntary early childhood system plan.
(2) In the process of developing the voluntary local early childhood system plan, a local commission shall include parents, youth, community representatives and representatives of local providers of early childhood services that reflect the diversity of the county or region, including but not limited to representatives from:
(a) Hospitals and the health professions;
(b) Local interagency coordinating councils;
(c) Oregon prekindergarten programs;
(d) Contractors who are designated by the Superintendent of Public Instruction to be responsible for the administration of early childhood special education and early intervention services in a service area;
(e) Community corrections agencies;
(f) Mental health services;
(g) County health departments;
(h) Healthy Start Family Support Services programs;
(i) Alcohol and drug treatment programs;
(j) Local child care resource and referral agencies;
(k) Child care providers;
(L) Developmental disability services;
(m) The kindergarten through grade 12 education community;
(n) Faith-based organizations; and
(o) Other providers of prenatal and perinatal services.
(3) A voluntary local early childhood system plan shall:
(a) Provide for the coordination of early childhood programs by creating a process to connect children and families with the most appropriate supports;
(b) Include a description of how the components of the voluntary statewide early childhood system specified in ORS 417.728 will be implemented in the county or region;
(c) Build on existing programs;
(d) Identify ways to maximize the use of volunteers and other community resources; and
(e) Ensure that the diverse populations within a community receive services that are culturally and gender appropriate.
(4) Local communities are encouraged to:
(a) Use private nonprofit organizations to raise community awareness and support for the voluntary local early childhood system; and
(b) Involve the medical community to ensure appropriate referrals to services and supports that are provided through the voluntary local early childhood system. [2001 c.831 §9; 2003 c.293 §6]
Section: Previous 417.748 417.750 417.755 417.760 417.765 417.770 417.775 417.777 417.780 417.785 417.787 417.788 417.790 417.793 417.795 NextLast modified: August 7, 2008