The Florida Interagency Coordinating Council for Infants and Toddlers (FICCIT) plays a vital role in ensuring coordinated and high-quality early intervention services for young children with disabilities and their families across Florida. Operated under the Florida Department of Health (DOH), Children’s Medical Services, Early Steps Program, the council functions as a federally mandated body under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). FICCIT actively supports program development, interagency collaboration, and regulatory compliance while ensuring transparency and community involvement.
Table of Contents
Key Responsibilities of FICCIT
- Fiscal Resource Identification
- Identifies financial and support sources for early intervention services.
- Helps streamline funding channels through multiple agencies.
- Assignment of Financial Responsibility
- Works to assign financial duties to respective state agencies.
- Ensures financial accountability and sustainability of services.
- Promotion of Collaboration
- Encourages both intra-agency and interagency cooperation.
- Covers areas such as child find, monitoring, service provision, and transition efforts.
- Program Application Oversight
- Advises DOH on application and amendment preparation under Part C of IDEA.
- Early Steps Transition Support
- Facilitates the transition of children from Early Steps to public school systems.
- Annual Report Review
- Evaluates the Early Steps Annual Report and monitors the overall performance of early intervention services.
Federal Requirements and Structure
FICCIT exists under the mandate of 34 C.F.R. §303.600-605, Part C of IDEA. The council must operate under these regulations, holding quarterly meetings and ensuring transparency and statewide representation. All meetings are subject to Florida’s “Sunshine” Law.
Meeting Schedule
Quarterly meetings are announced publicly and documented with minutes and presentations. These meetings allow stakeholders and community members to stay informed and participate in council decisions.
| Meeting Type | Date | Materials Available |
|---|---|---|
| Upcoming | August 28, 2025 | To be announced |
| Upcoming | December 10-11, 2025 | To be announced |
| Past | June 12, 2025 | Presentation |
| Past | February 5-6, 2025 | Meeting Minutes, Presentation |
| Past | November 21-22, 2024 | Meeting Minutes, Presentation |
| Past | September 11-12, 2024 | Meeting Minutes, Presentation |
Public Participation and Open Governance
- By-Laws and Policies
- Detailed rules define council operations and responsibilities.
- Public Comment Card
- A tool for gathering input from families, professionals, and stakeholders.
- Compliance with Sunshine Law
- Meetings and decisions are accessible to the public.
- Transparency is emphasized in all council actions.
- Meeting Archive
- Past meetings are archived and made publicly available for reference.
Council Membership and Representation
FICCIT consists of governor-appointed members reflecting the state’s demographic diversity. Each member contributes expertise from various sectors related to early childhood development and disability services.
| Membership Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Parents (at least 20%) | Parents of children with disabilities (ages 0–12), including minority parents. |
| Parent of child with disability (age 6 or younger) | Specific parental perspective required. |
| State Education Agency Representative | Oversees preschool services for children with disabilities. |
| Medicaid Program Representative | Ensures financial support and healthcare integration. |
| Private Health Insurance Regulator | Offers insights on insurance regulations and coverage. |
| Children’s Mental Health Agency | Represents state-level mental health service planning. |
| Early Intervention Providers | Public or private service providers actively working in the field. |
| Homeless Education Representative | Ensures inclusion of children experiencing homelessness. |
| Child Care Representative | Reflects the needs and policies affecting child care systems. |
| Foster Care Agency Representative | Advocates for children in the foster care system. |
| Head Start Representative | Includes input from early learning and school readiness programs. |
| Personnel Preparation Program | Brings educational training perspectives into policy discussions. |
| Payment Agency Representative | Focuses on funding and reimbursements related to intervention services. |
| Legislative Representative | Bridges policy development and legislative awareness. |
Functions and Policy Influence
- Coordination Across Agencies
- Enhances communication and minimizes duplication of services.
- Family-Centered Input
- Ensures that families have a voice in shaping early intervention programs.
- System Monitoring
- Tracks progress and identifies gaps in early intervention delivery.
- Policy Shaping
- Contributes to amendments, grant applications, and program innovations.
- Support for Diverse Populations
- Considers cultural and linguistic diversity in decision-making and planning.
Communication and Contact
Inquiries regarding the council’s work, membership, or participation opportunities can be directed to:
Email: FICCIT@flhealth.gov
Council members and the public can also access meeting materials and announcements through the Florida Administrative Register and official council channels.
Core Values of FICCIT
- Inclusion
- Prioritizes representation from underserved and minority communities.
- Transparency
- Operates openly under state and federal governance laws.
- Accountability
- Ensures agencies fulfill their responsibilities toward children and families.
- Collaboration
- Builds connections among health, education, and social service sectors.
- Advocacy
- Promotes the rights and needs of infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities.
Impact on Early Childhood Services in Florida
FICCIT’s efforts have led to significant improvements in the coordination and quality of early intervention services. By identifying service gaps, facilitating collaboration, and incorporating family voices, the council strengthens Florida’s Early Steps program and ensures smoother transitions into educational settings.
Wrapping Up
FICCIT serves as a cornerstone for Florida’s early intervention system, uniting diverse voices under a shared mission to support infants and toddlers with disabilities. Through quarterly meetings, open governance, and broad representation, the council ensures that programs remain responsive, inclusive, and well-coordinated. With continued community involvement and strong interagency collaboration, FICCIT helps shape a more equitable and effective system for Florida’s youngest citizens.
