The Nevada Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is the Lead Agency for the Nevada Early Intervention Services (NEIS) System. The Part C Office provides the oversight of NEIS which is mandated by Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The IDEA was created with a vision for comprehensive, interagency, multidisciplinary, family-centered, and community-based services accessible to all infants and toddlers with disabilities and to many who are at risk for disabilities. This law has been reauthorized as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA) or Public Law 108-446.
The Nevada Early Intervention Interagency Coordinating Council (ICC) brings policy makers, service providers, and parents together. It serves to support and assist with the ongoing development and implementation of quality statewide early intervention services for young children with disabilities and their families. Its members work to ensure that the supports and services offered to families are in line with their needs and maximize outcomes for children and families.
Mission
Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires each State to have an Interagency Coordinating Council (ICC). 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.
Who is on the ICC?
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. 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.
The Governor appoints all members.
To Apply for the ICC
ICC members are appointed by the Governor. The application and information about the application process are available at: https://gov.nv.gov/Boards/Board-Vacancies/ . You can search for vacancies on various Boards and Commissions on this website, at: https://gov.nv.gov/Board/features_20191221/BoardVacancies/. The ICC is listed as "Early Intervention Interagency Coordination Council."
How can families become more 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. Your early intervention programs may have a family support group or work with an organization that does. This is a wonderful way to "give back" to the program. 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!
ICC's Family Support Resource Subcommittee
Nevada's Interagency Coordinating Council (ICC) established a standing FAMILY SUPPORT RESOURCE SUBCOMMITTEE (FSRS) made up mostly 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. If you are interested in volunteer activities, the FSRS can always use parents and others who have a passion for supporting early intervention. Call 1-800-522-0066 or email ProjectAssist@dhhs.nv.gov
Video Series: Supporting Families of Young Children in Leadership Roles
The OSEP-funded Early Childhood Technical Assistance (TA) Center recently developed a series of videos (see the video link below) that provides testimonials and insights from family leaders who have experience becoming involved in the systems that provide services to their children under IDEA Part C and Part B Section 619. The series uncovers the challenges that families of young children may face when beginning their journeys as leaders and advocates in these systems.
IDEA State Advisory Panels (SAP) and State Interagency Coordinating Councils (SICC) Network
Who this website is intended for:
• State Advisory Panel (SAP) members | State Education Agency (SEA) staff
• State Interagency Coordinating Council (SICC) members | Lead Agency (LA) staff
• Individuals interested in learning about the purpose and functions of the SAP and SICC
These panels and councils address the needs of students with disabilities in K-12 special education programs, early intervention programs, and preschool.
What you will find within this website:
This website contains tools and resources that will assist SAP/SICCs and SEA/LAs in implementing the State and Federal requirements for the SAP and SICC including membership, duties and state contacts.
For more information:
Phone: 1-800-522-0066
Email: ProjectAssist@dhhs.nv.gov