Kansas Interagency Coordinating Council on

Early Childhood Developmental Services

ANNUAL REPORT: July 1, 2013 – June 30, 2014

The mission of the Kansas Coordinating Council on Early Childhood Developmental Services is to ensure that a comprehensive service delivery system of integrated services is available in Kansas to all children with or at risk for developmental delays from birth through age 5 and their families.

INTRODUCTION

The Kansas Interagency Coordinating Council (ICC) is based in both federal law and state statute. We serve as an advisory body to state agencies and others with most of our members appointed by the Governor. Our area of focus concerns children with (or at risk of) disabilities or developmental delays aged birth through five years and their families.

ANNUAL PRIORITIES AND GOALS - STRATEGIC PLAN
Web Site Committee

  • Designate and implement phases of development of new web site
  • Refine work product for new web site
  • Recruit authors to create content for new web site
  • Creation of new logo to brand new web site
  • Creation of a ICC newsletter

Communication and Collaboration Committee

  • Survey programs/agencies/local ICC’s to determine needs
  • Identify from survey, key issues in communication/collaboration between stakeholders and partners
  • Prioritize and implement possible actions/solutions

APR/SPP Work Group

  • Assist as requested by agencies, in supporting development of APR document
  • Review draft of document, and make suggestions or edits
  • Request full Council to review approve prior to submission to Washington DC

ACTIVITIES

Council activities are largely directed by the Strategic Plan (see above) and our Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the state agencies. Much of our activity occurs at the committee level.

HIGHLIGHTS

A list of specific Council accomplishments for Fiscal Year 2013 includes:

  • Testimony was prepared and presented bytheChair and Staff to the Kansas House Appropriations and Senate Ways and Means sub-committees in support of Part C (tiny-k). The final Fiscal Year 2015 budget included an increased appropriation of $100,000 above previous years. (MoA #9)
  • A letter was prepared and delivered by theChair and Staff to all 40 Kansas Senators regarding the bill to expand insurance coverage for autism services. The Council supported the concept, but had a few considerations to suggest. The subsequent law signed by the Governor was not amended from the House version of the bill. (MoA #9)
  • Staff completed eleven technical assistance and support visits to Local ICCs around the state, including: Riley county, Salina, Emporia, Reno county, Wyandotte county (twice), Shawnee county, Douglas county, Atchison (twice), and Marion county. Furthermore, Staff spoke on a variety of subject that focused on the unique needs of each group. Examples included: the role of the Local ICC in relation to the local lead agency for Part C, the steps to take in selecting a new local lead agency, and updates from Topeka/the Legislature. (MoA #5)
  • Committees have met and provided the following support to the Council:
  • The SPP/APR committee reviewed and slightly edited the State’s Part C Annual Performance Report. The Chair signed and KDHE submitted the Annual Performance Report to Washington, DC in February. (MoA #3)
  • The Website committee has completed extensive work in preparation for the transition to a new Council web site, which is expected to be out in the summer of 2014. (MoA # 5 & 7 & 8 )
  • The Communication/Collaboration committee is working on a suggested policy to help provide clarification regarding how to proceed with decisions that need to be made in times between Council meetings.
  • A joint meeting with the Kansas Special Education Advisory Council was held on November 20, 2013. (MoA #2)

KANSAS ICC ROSTER

PARENT MEMBERS:

Tammy Sheopner (Garden City), Darla Nelson-Metzger(Topeka), Melisa Schellhamer (Topeka)

PROVIDER MEMBERS

Susan Threinen (Overland Park), Kathy Kersenbrock-Ostmeyer (Oakley), Matthew Connell (Garden City)

PUBLIC MEMBERS

Sharon Hixson (Hutchison)

LEGISLATOR

SenatorElaine Bowers (Concordia)

AGENCY REPRESENTATIVES

Chairperson Mary Duncan (Governor’s Office),Dr. David Lindeman (Board of Regents), Sarah Walters (Kansas Department of Health and Environment-KDHE), Vera Stroup-Rentier (Kansas State Department of Education-KSDE), Pamela Beach(Department for Children and Families - DCF), Linda Shephard (Kansas Insurance Department)

KANSAS ICC MEETINGS, LOCATIONS, AND ACTIONS

August 16, 2013 in Topeka – Committees finalized their reports. The Annual Report for the previous year was approved and submitted. Plans were completed for the next strategic planning session. The formula used to distribute funds to the 37 Part C local programs was discussed.

September 13, 2013 in Topeka – The Council conducted its annual strategic planning session. Committees were reconfigured. A report on recent gubernatorial appointments was given. Elections were conducted to fill Executive Committee spots. Future dates for Council meetings were determined.

October 25, 2013 in Topeka – The strategic planning document was approved. The Council used a web-based technology for the first time for out-of-town members. Improving communications with Local ICC’s was discussed. The KITS training system was featured.

November 20, 2013 in Topeka – The Council met in the AM. It was reported that an orientation session for new members had been completed electronically. Screening of infants and toddlers for delays was discussed. In the PM, a joint meeting with the Special Education Advisory Council was held. Topics of discussion included: changes to teacher licensing, the new ICC web site, the revised Part C regulations, transitioning children from Part C to Part B, and personnel shortages/trainings.

December 20, 2013 in Topeka – The Council heard about services and issues from Hays. Other discussions centered on the meaning of “stakeholders” and how to engage them. Logistics for gathering input and completing staff job performance evaluations were finalized.

January 31, 2014 in Topeka – The Governor’s proposal to phase-in funding for all-day kindergarten was discussed. The Council approved the final version of the Part C State Performance Plan/Annual Performance Report document. A letter from the tiny-k Alliance concerning appropriations for Part C was discussed. A report was given on testimony and subsequent action in House Appropriations Committee. The Council received an update on the new web site. Vera Stroup-Rentier was welcomed as the new representative from the Kansas State Department of Education.

February 28, 2014 in Wichita – The Council met immediately following the state-wide conference for the Kansas Division for Early Childhood – Council for Exceptional Children. We heard about services in Southwest Kansas from Russell Child Development Center staff. Cultural diversity was discussed. The process for creating a new Memorandum of Agreement with the state agencies has begun. An update on the web site was given. A Legislative activity update was shared.

April 25, 2014 in Topeka – The Council discussed social/emotional development. We heard a presentation on the Early Childhood Personnel Center, a national initiativein whichKansasis participating. An update to the web site was given, and it was reported that a new vendor will be utilized for the changeover. Plans are under way for the annual strategic planning session.

June 13, 2014 in Topeka – The Council held its annual strategic planning session. We looked back at our history, in order to provide some perspective. Much discussion was focused upon social/emotional development and its importance. Committees were re-visited, with some tweaking of the current structure. Committees set their sights on the next year of Council activity.

APPENDIX

Letter to all 40 Kansas Senators regarding autism coverage and health insurance

Testimony before House Appropriations and Senate Ways & Means on budgets

Council Committees Summary document

Kansas Council Annual Report: 7/13 – 6/14Page 1