A. The lead agency, in consultation with the Virginia Interagency Coordinating Council, shall establish local interagency coordinating councils on a statewide basis to advise and assist the local lead agencies and to enable early intervention service providers to establish working relationships that will increase the efficiency and effectiveness of early intervention services. The membership of local interagency coordinating councils shall include designees from the following agencies: community services boards, departments of health, departments of social services, and local school divisions. These designees shall designate additional council members as follows: at least one parent representative who is not an employee of any public or private program that serves infants and toddlers with disabilities; representatives from community providers of early intervention services; and representatives from other service providers as deemed appropriate. Every county and city may appoint a representative to the respective local interagency coordinating council.

B. The duties of local interagency coordinating councils shall include assisting and advising the local lead agency in the following:

1. Identifying existing early intervention services and resources;

2. Identifying gaps in the service delivery system and developing strategies to address these gaps;

3. Identifying alternative funding sources;

4. Facilitating the development of interagency agreements and supporting the development of service coalitions;

5. Implementing policies and procedures that will promote interagency collaboration; and

6. Developing local procedures and determining mechanisms for implementing policies and procedures in accordance with state and federal statutes and regulations.

1992, c. 771, § 2.1-766; 2001, cc. 562, 844; 2005, c. 695.