Last Updated:
11/09/09 11:12:41 AM
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Nevada Interagency Coordinating
Council (ICC) |
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Children ages birth to three years with
disabilities or developmental delays and their families need
a coordinated system of service delivery to meet their
unique needs and maximize their opportunities for
development. Although each child may be served by a
different agency, issues related to services and the
challenges to providing those services can be addressed
through an interconnected group of public and private
agencies. |
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The Nevada Interagency Coordinating
Council (ICC) was established by Nevada's Governor in 1987
pursuant to the requirements of Public Law 99-457, the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The
Council's primary mission is to advise and assist the Nevada
Department of Health and Human Services in the development
of and implementation of a statewide system of early
intervention services for really young children with
developmental delays or disabilities and their families. |
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Who is on the ICC? |
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The IDEA determines who is on each
state's ICC. Membership includes representatives from public
or private providers of early intervention services, members
of state agencies involved in the provision of, or payment
for, early intervention services who have sufficient
authority to engage in policy making, State Department of
Education personnel responsible for preschool services to
children with disabilities, Head Start, State Legislators,
University or college system, child care, parents, and other
members selected by the Governor. The Governor appoints all
members. |
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The goals of Nevada's ICC
for the next two years are... |
- To advocate for young children and their families with
legislature and policy makers.
- To monitor the Part C Improvement Plan and its
implementation.
- To support increased services for Nevada's
underrepresented populations.
- To support creation of a central resource directory for
families.
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How does the ICC accomplish
its designated goals? |
The ICC meets quarterly, sometimes by
videoconference or face-to-face alternating between Reno and
Las Vegas. With the support of the Part C staff,
subcommittees complete much of the council's work. Topics
for subcommittee work have included:
- Early intervention services in natural environments
- Universal Newborn Hearing Screening
- Use of paraprofessionals in service delivery, and
- Family support and participation
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What is the parent
experience on the ICC? |
 "My
name is Nora Behrens, and my husband Scott and I are the
parents of a wonderful little boy named Bryan. Bryan has
cerebral palsy as well as other disabilities. Because Bryan
was involved in Nevada’s Early Intervention Services I
became familiar with some of the programs available to
families of children with disabilities, but as a family we
felt pretty isolated. When Bryan was 2 years old I
participated in the Nevada Partners in Policymaking program
which was an incredible introduction to the bigger network
of disability services, programs, and social networks. It
was then that I learned about some of the ways that parents
can become involved in the programs that serve their
families. In order to meet other parents of children with
cerebral palsy, I started the CP Parent Network. I really
enjoy being a resource for other parents and spending time
with them and their children.
Another way that I have met other
parents as well has been on the Interagency Coordinating
Council. This position has been a great way to learn about
how state-run programs operate, how the legislature and
budgeting affects these programs, and how a few dedicated
people can really make a difference for the families of
Nevada’s children with disabilities. I have advocated for
Early Intervention funding at the Nevada legislature as well
as represented the interests of the ICC to the Governor’s
office. These opportunities to advocate for young children
with disabilities and their families as well as working with
people around the state who have similar goals has been a
very fulfilling experience for my family and one I would
recommend to any parent." - Nora Behrens |
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How can families get
involved? |
There are many ways that you and your
family can get involved with Early Intervention Services
beyond the services and support activities specifically
designed for you. When you are involved, you gain experience
in communication and leadership and it helps you to get
useful information and answers to questions you may have.
Actively participating and interacting with others, you can
choose to make a difference in the lives of many young
children with special needs and their families. One voice
can make a dramatic difference!
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Partners In Policymaking
is an innovative, competency based leadership training
program for parents of young children with developmental
disabilities and adults with disabilities. This site has
an on-line course that has been created to give
individuals some basic skills needed to make a
difference through advocacy. Or for more information on
Nevada Partners in Policymaking contact
Family TIES.
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Early Intervention Family Alliance (EIFA)
For parents of children with disabilities serving on
their Interagency Coordinating Councils or other
committees and boards,
a national association of family
leaders dedicated to improving outcomes for infants and
toddlers with disabilities and their families. EIFA
works to assure meaningful family involvement in the
development of Part C policies and their implementation
at community, state and federal levels. [FREE
enrollment to all families who have a child in early
intervention!]
Below are some of the
opportunities in Nevada to...
- Provide valuable input from a parent's perspective,
- Assist in the development of program policies, and
- Help shape and create a better system for all
children receiving Early Intervention Services!
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Nevada's Interagency
Coordinating Council (ICC) |
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ICC members include parents of children
with special needs. The parents on the ICC bring their real
life experience to the table and those who provide the
services provide expertise on how systems work and how to
accomplish the tasks of the ICC. Working together as a team
makes the ICC an asset in the planning and advocacy for a
statewide coordinated and comprehensive system of services
and supports in early intervention.
More information may be requested
by calling Nevada's
Project ASSIST at
1-800-522-0066 or you can email Dan Dinnell at
ddinnell@dhhs.nv.gov. |
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NEIS Parent Advisory
Committees |
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Nevada Early Intervention Services (NEIS)
has established regional Parent Advisory Committees (PAC) to
share concerns and provide input to program policies and
procedures that guide services for young children with
disabilities and their families. They may conduct surveys,
collect information for parents, create resource libraries,
serve as community liaison for disability awareness and
inclusion. They advise, teach, and support their program,
families and communities.
If you are interested in
participating on your regional committee, please contact
your program service coordinator or resource parent and
advise them of your interest. Or you may call Project ASSIST
at 1-800-522-0066 for information. |
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ICC Family Support Resource
Committee |
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Nevada's Interagency Coordinating
Council (ICC) established a standing "Family Support
Resource Committee" made up of parents of young children
with special needs. They support ICC activities and help
ensure the ICC responds to issues important to families,
strengthen and broaden family involvement at all policy and
service levels, increase ICC communication with families,
provide public awareness support, and identify and support
efforts to improve early intervention services and programs
within communities. More
information may be requested by calling Nevada's
Project ASSIST at
1-800-522-0066 or you can email Dan Dinnell at
ddinnell@dhhs.nv.gov. |
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There are also other opportunities
for participation on various subcommittees, ad hoc
committees, task forces, and work groups.
The highest
reward for a person's toil is not what they get for it, but
what they become by it."...
John Ruskin |
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ICC Scheduled Meeting Dates
2009 |
Elko, Las Vegas, and Reno
Videoconference locations:
- North Las Vegas - Nevada Early Intervention
Services, Southern Region - 4528 W. Craig Road, Ste 170,
Conference Room
- Reno - Nevada Early Intervention Services,
Northwestern Region - 2667 Enterprise, Conference Room
- Elko - Nevada Early Intervention Services,
Northeastern Region - 1020 Ruby Vista Drive, Conference Room
Meetings usually start at 9:00 am
and agendas will be posted on the Health Division's main
website under Scheduled Meetings, as well as numerous public
locations.
Previous year ICC Minutes may be
found in the Publications section. Call for most current. |
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ICC Meeting Agenda & Minutes |
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2009
Minutes
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2008
Minutes
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Current ICC Members |
State Legislature
Vacant
Member of Nevada State Legislature |
Personnel Preparation
Ann Bingham, Ph.D, ICC Co-Chair
Representative - Department of Educational Specialties, UNR
Nancy Sileo, Ed.D.
Professor - UNLV College of Education, Special Education |
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Parent Representatives |
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Nora Behrens,
ICC Co-chair
Northwest Region - Incline Village |
Shannon Springer
Northwest Region - Reno |
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Betty Sherwood
Northeast Region - Fernley |
Vacant
Southern Region - Las Vegas |
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Kimberly Palma
Southern Region - Las Vegas |
Kristen McIntyre
Southern Region - Las Vegas |
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Private/Public Provider |
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Alice Chernich, RN, MSN, Manager
Medical - Neonatal Itensive Care Unit of Sunrise
Hospital |
Tina Jeeves
Director of Projects
Early Intervention Services - Easter Seals of Southern
Nevada |
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Fatima Taylor
Supervisor
Representative - Nevada Early Intervention Services/Southern
Region |
Johnette Oman
Supervisor
Representative - Nevada Early Intervention Services/Northern
Region |
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Dianne Farkas
Director
Las Vegas West Family to Family Connection - South |
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State Education Agency for Preschool
Services
Sherry Halley, 619 Coordinator
Representative - Nevada Department of Education |
State Agency Involved in the
Provision of, or Payment for Early Intervention Services
Richard Whitley, Administrator
Representative - Nevada State Health Division |
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State Medicaid Agency
Chuck Duarte, Administrator
Representative - Division of Health Care Financing and
Policy |
State Child Care Agency
Jerry Allen, Chief - Child Care
Representative - Nevada Division of Welfare and Supportive
Services |
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State Foster Care Agency
Betsey Crumrine
Representative - Division of Child and Family Services |
State Health Insurance Agency
Vacant
Representative - Nevada Division of Insurance |
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State Mental Health Agency
Joyce Larsen
Representative - Division of Child and Family Services |
Office of the Coordinator of
Education of Homeless Children
Karen Stephens, Homeless Children & Youth Education
Consultant
Nevada Department of Education |
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Head Start Agency
Sherry Waugh, Director
Program - UNR Human Development & Family Studies |
Advocacy
Robin Kincaid, Training Director
Representative - Nevada Parents Encouraging Parents (PEP)
Yvonne Brueggert, Rights Advocate
Representative - Nevada Disability Advocacy & Law Center
(NDALC)
Sherry Manning, Executive Director
Representative - Governor's Council on Developmental
Disabilities |
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