Resolve, Directing the Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Education To Enter into a Memorandum of Understanding Regarding Early Childhood Intervention
Maine Legislature, Session 124, LD 0523
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Sponsors: WAGNER, ALFOND, BEAULIEU, HASKELL, HAYES, JONES, LAJOIE, MARTIN, NELSON, SUTHERLAND

Legislative Document 
No. 523 
H.P.368 
House of Representatives, Febmary 12, 2009 
Resolve, Directing the Department of Health and Human Services 
and Department of Education To Enter into a Memorandum of 
Understanding Regarding Early Childhood Intervention 
Reference to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered 
printed. 
Presented by Representative WAGNER of Lewiston. 
Cosponsored by Senator ALFOND of Cumberland and 
11/~ /h. 7lldC~{ 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Representatives: BEAULIEU of Auburn, HASKELL of Portland, HAYES of Buckfield, 
JONES of Mount Vernon, LAJOIE of Lewiston, MARTIN of Eagle Lake, NELSON of 
Falmouth, SUTHERLAND of Chapman. 
Printed un recycled pjJ.p~r 
Sec. 1. Memorandum of understanding between Department of Health 
and Human Services and Department of Education. 
Resolved: 
That, by 
October 1, 2009, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of 
Education shall enter into a memorandum of understanding or amend an existing 
memorandum of understanding. The memorandum of understanding must set forth a 
service pathway for preschool children from birth to 5 years of age, clearly coordinating 
the services provided by each department to tlllS age group. The memorandum of 
understanding must establish criteria, including, but not linlited to, criteria that ensure: 
1. That the Child Development Services System, as defmed in Title 20-A, section 
7001, subsection I-A, remains an independent entity from the public schools recognizing 
the specialized needs of preschool children; 
2. That the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of 
Education develop interagency, provider and fanlily communication and planning 
regarding child development services issues for preschool children from birth to 5 years 
of age, in addition to the advisory functions provided by the state interagency 
coordinating council described in the federal Individuals with Disabilities Act, 20 United 
States Code, Section 1441 and the state advisory panel described in 34 Code of Federal 
Regulations, Sections 300.167 to 300.169; 
3. That the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of 
Education ensure that children enrolled in programs for early childhood screening, 
diagnosis, or treatment in either department, including MaineCare and Child 
Development Services System programs, participate in a seamless, coordinated system 
that allows referrals to either department for fanlilies requiring services; and 
4. That the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of 
Education enhance the efficacy and identify cost savings of child find activities through 
better coordination of the department systems; and be it further 
Sec. 2. Report. Resolved: That the Department of Health and Human Services 
and the Department of Education shall report jointly to the joint standing committee of 
the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters and the joint 
standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over education matters 
regarding the implementation of the memorandum of understanding under section 1 by 
January 15, 2010. The departments shall jointly provide an evaluation by January 15, 
2011 to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health 
and human services matters and the joint standing committee of the Legislature having 
jurisdiction over education matters of the impact of the memorandum of understanding on 
the services provided to preschool children from birth to 5 years of age. After receipt and 
review of the evaluation, the joint standing committee of the Legislature having 
jurisdiction over health and human services matters and the joint standing committee of 
the Legislature having jurisdiction over educatiori matters may report out any necessary 
legislation. 
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SUMMARY 
This resolve directs the Department of Health and Human Services and the 
Department of Education to enter into a memorandum of understanding regarding early 
childhood intervention. This resolve also directs the Department of Health and Human 
Services and the Department of Education to report to the joint standing committee of the 
Legislature having jurisdiction over education matters regarding the implementation of 
the memorandum of understanding by January 15,2010.