Section 7211 - Regional support and service hubsThe Child Development Services System shall establish 9 regional support and service hubs that are aligned with each of the 9 superintendent regions established by the statewide association of superintendents. The regional support and service hubs shall provide supports and resources to school administrative units that have assumed the responsibility for child find activities and for providing a free, appropriate public education to children eligible under Part B, Section 619 pursuant to section 7006, subsection 2 and other high-quality early childhood programs partnering with or otherwise contracted by a school administrative unit to fulfill the school administrative unit's responsibilities under Part B, Section 619 pursuant to section 7006, subsection 2 as determined through memoranda of understanding between the department and the school administrative unit.
1. Minimum requirements. Each regional support and service hub shall, at a minimum, offer the following supports, assistance and resources to the school administrative units within the superintendent region to which the regional support and service hub is aligned:A. Assistance with child find activities;B. Training and other professional development opportunities and technical assistance with the implementation of developmentally appropriate practices for young children, including, but not limited to, curriculum, screening and assessment selections aligned with the State's early learning developmental standards, understanding of and requirements to meet free, appropriate public education and least restrictive environment standards and best practices for inclusive learning;C. Assistance with establishing and strengthening community partnerships with existing inclusive, high-quality early childhood programs to help school administrative units meet federal obligations under Part B, Section 619. High-quality early childhood programs include, but are not limited to, Head Start programs, private prekindergarten and child care programs and other community-based programs;D. Assistance with locating transportation services;E. Assistance with administrative tasks associated with the assumption of responsibility for a free, appropriate public education under Part B, Section 619; andF. Maintenance and coordination of access to credentialed educators and service providers who are available to school administrative units on a contractual basis, including, but not limited to, supportive educational technicians; speech, occupational and physical therapists; assistive technology experts; and board-certified behavioral experts.2. Guiding principles. In providing supports and resources to school administrative units that have assumed the responsibility for child find activities and for ensuring a free, appropriate public education to children eligible under Part B, Section 619 in the least restrictive environment, the regional support and service hubs shall: A. Ensure that parents of children eligible under Part B, Section 619 are recognized as collaborative partners, experts and decision makers;B. Provide written information to parents of children eligible under Part B, Section 619 that includes, but is not limited to, information regarding regional and local services and service providers; other early childhood resources, such as child care providers; Head Start programs; community-based approaches to improving access to quality early care and education; resources available through the department and the Department of Health and Human Services; and other community partners and resources. Such information must also be made available on any publicly accessible website associated with the Child Development Services System or the regional support and service hubs;C. Emphasize federal and state requirements regarding inclusion and least restrictive environments;D. Encourage coordination with community partnerships to maximize resources and provide comprehensive services to meet the needs of children;E. Support and encourage the use of evidence-based supports, including, but not limited to, behavior analysts and assistive technology;F. Support and encourage the use of a strength-based approach in the support and provision of services to children eligible under Part B, Section 619;G. Facilitate parental support groups and provide resources for parents dealing with bullying, difficult family dynamics and behavioral challenges; andH. Convene and assist the parental advisory committees under section 7209-A, subsection 9.Added by 2024, c. 643,§ W-18, eff. 8/9/2024.