FICCIT By-Laws

ARTICLE I - Council Name and Authorization

1.1 Name. The name of the council shall be the "Florida Interagency Coordinating Council for Infants and Toddlers" hereinafter referred to as FICCIT.

1.2 Authority. FICCIT exists by authority of Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. (IDEA), Public Law 108-446.

ARTICLE II - Mission and Function

2.1 Mission. The mission of FICCIT is to enhance opportunities for Florida's infants and toddlers with special needs and their families. To accomplish this mission, FICCIT will:

2.1.1 Advise and assist the state lead agency and other entities in the development, implementation, and evaluation of policies and procedures;

2.1.2 Educate decision-makers, service providers, families and all Floridians;

2.1.3 Facilitate communication across local, state, and federal levels;

2.1.4 Foster partnerships; and

2.1.5 Explore new trends and research validated practices.

2.2 Functions. The functions of FICCIT include, but are not limited to, the following:

2.2.1 To advise and assist in the preparation of IDEA, Part C applications and amendments, as appropriate;

2.2.2 To advise and assist the state lead agency by providing policy and definitions for the minimum components of IDEA, Part C particularly the identification of the sources of the fiscal and other support services for early intervention programs, assignment of financial responsibility to the appropriate agency, and the promotion of interagency agreements,

2.2.3 To prepare and submit an annual report to the Governor, the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education, the Florida Commissioner of Education and to the Florida Secretary of the Department of Health on the status of Florida early intervention programs for infants and toddlers with disabilities, including at-risk infants and toddlers, and their families.

2.2.4 To recommend procedures for the distribution of funds and priorities for program support.

2.2.5 To assist the lead agency in the development and reporting of information and evaluations of programs for infants and toddlers with disabilities, including at-risk infants, and their families.

2.2.6 To assist the lead agency in seeking information from service providers, service coordinators, parents and others about federal, state, or local policies that impede timely service delivery and to advise and assist with efforts to resolve identified policy problems.

2.2.7 To advise and assist the lead agency and the Florida Department of Education about appropriate services to children birth through five, including the transition of toddlers with disabilities to services provided under IDEA, Part B.

ARTICLE III - Membership

3.1 Appointment. FICCIT members are appointed by the Governor of the State of Florida who shall ensure the membership reasonably represents the population of the state.

3.1.1 Parents and Caregivers. Representation by parents or caregivers of children who are or may have met eligibility for Part C Services shall number no less than the number of public and private service providers members appointed pursuant to Section 3.1.2 of these Bylaws and no less than 20% of the number of parents or caregivers shall be parents of infants and toddlers or children with disabilities age 12 or younger. The representation by parents and caregivers shall include the following:

(1) At least one member who is a parent of an infant or toddler or child with a disability age 6 or younger;

(2) At least one member who is the foster parent of a child with a disability;

3.1.2 Service Providers. At least 20 percent of the members shall be public or private providers of early intervention services. For purposes of section 3.1.1, service providers of early intervention services members shall include the following:

(1) One service provider providing core services;

(2) At least one service provider providing required services;

(3) One member from the IDEA, Part C lead agency;

(4) One member from the Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services within the Florida Department of Education;

(5) At least one member from the Office of Early Learning with the Agency for Workforce Innovation;

(6) At least one member from a Florida Head Start program;

(7) One member from the Agency for Persons with Disabilities;

(8) One member from the Division of Medicaid within the Agency for Health Care Administration;

(9) One member designated to represent the Office of Coordinator for the Education of Homeless Children and Youths, within the Department of Education.

(10) One member from the foster care program within the Department of Children and Families; and,

(11) One member from the Children's Mental Health Program within the Department of Children and Families.

3.1.3 At least one (1) member of FICCIT shall be a member of the Florida Legislature;

3.1.4 At least one (1) member of FICCIT shall be from a personnel preparation program;

3.1.5 At least one (1) member from the agency responsible for state governance of insurance, preferably with an emphasis in the area of health insurance.

3.1.6 Additional Members. Additional members may include a representative from the Indian Health Service or tribal council, a private health insurance provider, the immediate past FICCIT Chair, or other persons whose interests, skills, or professional credentials contribute to the FICCIT mission, goals, and functions. There shall be an additional parent or caregiver appointment made for any member qualifying under this subsection and subsection 3.1.2

3.1.7 Certain State Agency Members Pursuant to the requirements of federal law, members appointed pursuant to subsections 3.1.2(3), (4), and (5) shall have sufficient authority to engage in policy planning and implementation on behalf of the agency, department, division, program or office represented by that member.

3.1.8 State Agency Members. Members appointed to represent state agencies may name a permanent alternate-designee who shall have the same rights and responsibilities as the agency representative member. In the event of a vacancy in an agency representative membership, the FICCIT Chair shall notify the head of that agency requesting the agency to nominate a replacement representative for appointment by the Governor.

3.2 Officers. The officers of FICCIT shall be the Chair and a Vice-Chair elected by the members. The Vice-Chair shall also be designated the Chair-Elect of FICCIT. The Chair shall preside at meetings, unless unavailable, at which time the Vice-Chair shall preside. The Chair shall appoint all Committee Members and shall designate a Chair for all Committees. The Chair shall not be an employee of the state lead agency. The term of office is for two years. Election of new officers shall be held at the fall meeting preceding the expiration of the current term of office.

3.3 Membership. The membership of FICCIT shall consist of representatives of the public and private sectors who, by virtue of their positions, interests, and training can contribute to the quality of services provided to infants and toddlers with disabilities, including at-risk infants, and their families. In making nominations to the Governor for appointment, FICCIT shall nominate members who reflect the diversity of the state by race, ethnicity, gender and geographic area. Members may be assigned to membership categories that afford the council the maximum flexibility to carry out its purpose and functions.

3.4 Term of Office. Appointments to FICCIT shall be for three years unless otherwise designated by the Governor. After initial appointment, members may not serve more than two consecutive three year terms. If no action has been taken by the Governor at the end of a member's term of appointment, the Chair may permit the member to continue to serve with all the rights and responsibilities of membership until such time as a new member is appointed.

3.5 Attendance. For purposes of this section, the term "regularly scheduled meeting” shall include a FICCIT quarterly business meeting, a standing committee meeting or a telephone conference call conducted in lieu of a regularly scheduled meeting. For purposes of this section, "absence” shall mean the failure to attend a significant portion of a meeting where attendance is required. The following sections shall constitute FICCIT attendance policy:

3.5.1 Members are expected to attend all regularly scheduled meetings. Members shall be considered in attendance for committee meetings by being present in person or by telephone conference call or similar electronic means.

3.5.2 A member absent from three or more regularly scheduled meetings in a twelve-month period shall be subject to a FICCIT attendance and participation activity review conducted by the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee may recommend appropriate action be taken by the full council at its next regularly scheduled meeting.

3.6 Membership Qualification Change. If a member's conditions for qualification change, the member shall submit a written notice of resignation to the Chair with copies to the Governor and to the lead agency.

3.7 Vacancies. Within thirty days of any vacancy, the Chair shall provide notice to the Governor and request an appointment be made to fill that vacancy.

ARTICLE IV - Meetings

4.1 Frequency. FICCIT shall meet no less than on a quarterly basis. The Chair or the Executive Committee may call additional meetings as needed

4.2 Quorum. Half or more of the duly appointed members present shall constitute a quorum for transaction of business by FICCIT.

4.2 Meeting Notice and Agendas. The lead agency shall ensure that written notice and tentative agendas of regularly scheduled meetings are distributed at least two weeks prior to the meeting date. Each quarterly FICCIT meeting shall include an opportunity for public comment.

4.3 Meeting Minutes. Minutes of each meeting shall be taken and distributed to FICCIT membership, local early intervention program directors, and other interested parties. Official minutes of meetings shall be maintained by the lead agency.

ARTICLE V - Committees

5.1 Standing Committees. FICCIT shall establish four standing committees, as follows:

5.1.1 Executive Committee. The committee shall be composed of the Chair and Vice-Chair of FICCIT, Committee chairs of the standing committees, and other members that the Chair may deem necessary. The Chair of FICCIT shall serve as Chair of the Executive Committee. The committee may act on behalf of FICCIT between scheduled meetings. Decisions of the committee shall be reported to FICCIT at its next scheduled meeting. In coordination with the lead agency, the duties of the Committee include, but are not limited to, the following:

(1) The development of strategic and long range plans;

(2) The recruitment, application review, and recommendation of candidates for appointment to FICCIT;

(3) The orientation of new members;

(4) The preparation of a slate of nominees for election as officers of FICCIT;

(5) The development of FICCIT meeting agendas;

(6) Coordination of the work of FICCIT standing and ad-hoc committees;

(7) Assistance to the state lead agency in the development of the annual spending plan;

(8) The review of fiscal reports and the provision of fiscal oversight in matters affecting FICCIT or its constituencies; and,

(9) Other matters appropriate to the operation of FICCIT in the interim between regularly scheduled meetings.

5.1.2 Family Leadership Committee. The Family Leadership Committee is designated to provide expertise and leadership in those matters that will increase family awareness and participation in the IDEA, Part C program and to prioritize the development and maintenance of local, state, and federal partnerships and programs affecting services to families. The scope of activities of the Committee is intended to specifically include, but not be limited to:

(1) Oversight of and recommendations to the lead agency regarding service delivery model changes and implementation;

(2) Identification and development of improved methods and programs that facilitate communication among families and encourage and support family involvement in the IDEA, Part C program; and,

(3) Identification of and participation in programs at the local, state, and federal level that facilitate and foster family involvement efforts.

5.1.3 Personnel Development and Training Committee. The Personnel Development and Training Committee is designated to assist in the development, design, recommended implementation and evaluation of a cohesive birth to five training and technical assistance system for Florida's IDEA, Part C program. In furtherance of that mission, the scope of activities of the Committee would include, but not be limited to, efforts to promote the recruitment, preparation, credentialing, and retention of appropriately qualified early intervention and education personnel, including families, paraprofessionals and professionals engaged in pre-service and in-service delivery.

5.1.4 Public Affairs Committee The Public Affairs Committee is designated to engage in activities that enhance public awareness of IDEA, Part C, to research and present issues related to federal, state, or local legislative initiatives affecting program activities; to assist the Family Leadership Committee as requested; and to assist in efforts by the lead agency to improve the scope and quality of service delivery.

5.2 Membership. All members of FICCIT shall serve on at least one standing committee. Membership of the standing committees shall be comprised of no less than three (3) FICCIT members and any additional individuals whose knowledge, skills and opinions can contribute to the performance of the duties of that committee. At least one (1) of the FICCIT members must be a caregiver. The FICCIT Chair shall select one FICCIT member to serve as Committee Chair. The FICCIT Chair shall be an ex Officio member of each standing committee. The Committee Chair shall select other committee members. All committee members shall serve a term of two (2) years and may be re-appointed.

5.3 Standing Committee Meetings. The Chair of a standing committee shall call committee meetings or conference calls in lieu of on-site meetings, on a quarterly basis. Each committee will have an assigned state lead agency staff liaison. A written committee report with action items is expected no later than fourteen (14) days prior to each FICCIT meeting.

5.4 Ad-Hoc Committees, Task Forces and Workgroups. FICCIT may establish or participate in Ad Hoc Committees, Task Forces, or Workgroups related to the mission, function, and activities of FICCIT.

5.5 Quorum. Half or more of the duly appointed committee members present shall constitute a quorum for transaction of committee business.

ARTICLE VI - General Provisions and Procedures

6.1 Parliamentary Procedures.

6.1.1 Substantive questions put to a vote shall be decided by a majority of duly appointed members in attendance and voting.

6.1.2 Members may proxy vote by providing a written proxy on a specific issue or issues to another member in attendance at the meeting.

6.1.3 Matters may be introduced for consideration by any member, by the Chairperson, or by designated staff. Motions shall require seconding.

6.1.4 Rules of precedence of motions and other parliamentary procedures not specified herein shall be governed by Robert's Rules of Order.

6.2 Staffing. The state lead agency shall provide staff support services to FICCIT and its committee activities.

6.3 Conflict of Interest. No member of FICCIT shall cast a vote on any matter, which would provide direct financial benefit to that member or the organization, which employs the member, or otherwise give the appearance of a conflict of interest under state law.

6.4 Amendments to these Bylaws. Changes to these Bylaws may be made by a majority vote at any regular meeting of the council provided prior written notice has been mailed to the membership two weeks prior to the meeting.

Legislative History
Amendments to by Laws proposed June, 2005
Amendments Ratified August 2005
Further Amendments to sections 3.2 Officers; and 5.2 Membership: Ratified 08-Feb-06