Web Site Launched for Young Children
Web Site Launched to Help Parents of Infants and Preschoolers with Disabilities
The U.S. Department of Education has announced a new Web site to showcase the government's efforts to help America's infants and preschoolers with disabilities and their families.
The site, www.fed-icc.org, provides a useful storehouse of information for parents of children with disabilities, focusing on the efforts of the Federal Interagency Coordi nating Council (FICC). The council facilitates federal, state and local activities related to serving infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, from birth through age 5, who receive services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), as well as other Federally funded programs such as health care, child care and social services.
"We are excited to share how federal agencies are work- ing collaboratively to improve services for children with disabilities and their families:' said Judith E. Heumann, FICC chair and assistant secretary for the office of special education and rehabilitative services.
"This site offers parents, in particular, easy access to disability-related information and contacts that can make a difference in the lives of their children." The FICC is an advising body to cabinet secretaries from the Department of Education, Health and Human Services.
SOME HIGHLIGHTS:
* For parents, the Web site is user-friendly and easily navigable, offering access to names and numbers of people throughout the government who can help answer questions about children and disability issues.
* Site also provides a means for parents to contact and communicate with FICC parent-member representatives.
* For states, the site showcases current federal efforts that impact state programs. States able to use this as a Forum through which to share issues of importance with council representatives.
The FICC meets quarterly in Washington, D.C., and its meetings are open and accessible to the public. Its membership includes representatives from: 17 program offices across six federal agencies; state program repre- sentatives; parents of children with disabilities; and others, as deemed necessary by the secretary of education.
Working with Assistant Secretary Judith E. Heumann- parent representative Felecia Jordan da-Silva who currently serves as FICC co-chair.