EARLY CHILDHOOD INTERVENTION SERVICES

M.G.L. pt. Part I, tit. Title XVI, ch. c. 111G

in effect

M.G.L. c. 111G, § 1 Definitions

c. 111G, § 1. Definitions Section 1. For the purposes of this chapter, the following words shall have the following meanings unless the context or subject matter clearly requires otherwise:— ''Advisory committee'', the committee established pursuant to section three. ''Commissioner'', the commissioner of the department of public health. ''Department'', the department of public health. ''Division'', the division of family health services which is an administrative division within the department of public health. ''Early intervention services'', services provided to children and the families of children, who are between birth and three years of age and who have identified handicapping conditions or who are at risk for developmental delays due to biological, established, or environmental factors. Such services are for the purpose of minimizing the potential for developmental delay and for preventing the institutionalization of such children and shall be developmental services, including but not limited to speech, occupational and physical therapy, social work, psychological, educational, and nursing services.

M.G.L. c. 111G, § 2 Early intervention services; state wide system; funding; rules and regulations; contracts

c. 111G, § 2. Early intervention services; state wide system; funding; rules and regulations; contracts Section 2. The department shall establish a state wide system of programs providing early intervention services. The department shall be the sole source of state funds for early intervention services; provided, however, that reimbursement for such services shall be allowed pursuant to section six of chapter one hundred and eighteen E. The department shall be the lead agency for the coordination of all governmental funding, both state and federal, for such programs. Such programs shall be located within the division of family health services. The division shall be responsible for implementing and administering such programs. The division shall develop and promulgate uniform rules and regulations for the provision of early intervention services. The division may contract with any agencies, individuals or groups for the provision of such services, subject to appropriation.

M.G.L. c. 111G, § 3 Advisory committee; membership; duties

c. 111G, § 3. Advisory committee; membership; duties Section 3. The commissioner shall appoint an advisory committee which shall consist of fifteen members, including one representative from each of the following state agencies: the department of public health, the department of mental health, the department of developmental services, the department of education, the department of transitional assistance, the department of children and families and the department of early education and care; one representative of the Massachusetts Early Intervention Consortium; at least three of whom shall represent program consumers; at least three of whom shall represent program providers; and at least one of whom shall represent the collective bargaining unit which represents state employees who provide early intervention services. Said committee shall advise the division relative to the development of program standards, the gathering of statistical and assessment data, the coordination of state agencies, the resolution of administrative and collective bargaining issues, the promotion of early intervention services, and coordination and planning to maximize resources.

M.G.L. c. 111G, § 4 Alternative revenue sources; donated funds program; payment system for services

c. 111G, § 4. Alternative revenue sources; donated funds program; payment system for services Section 4. The division, with the advice of the advisory committee, shall investigate alternative revenue sources for early intervention services. A system of payments by families shall be established which promotes accessibility to services to all families in need of such services. This system may include a schedule of sliding fees developed in accordance with applicable state and federal law. The division shall develop a donated funds program to encourage the development of funds other than state appropriations for early intervention services. Such sources of funds may include private donations or monies from city, town, or county governments but shall not include funds from other state agencies. The state shall provide two dollars for each dollar of donated funds which have been committed from such non-state source.

M.G.L. c. 111G, § 5 Monitoring and assessment of program effectiveness; reports

c. 111G, § 5. Monitoring and assessment of program effectiveness; reports Section 5. The division shall monitor and assess the effectiveness of early intervention services. Programs which are in receipt of state or federal funding for early intervention services shall report such information relative to program models, characteristics of clients, expenditures, and other material information as the division, with the advice of the advisory committee, shall request for the purpose of monitoring and assessing the effectiveness of such programs.

M.G.L. c. 111G, § 6 Transportation to early intervention services

c. 111G, § 6. Transportation to early intervention services Section 6. Whenever transportation to early intervention services is required, the department shall provide transportation with respect to said services. The department shall take appropriate steps to ensure the safety of all persons transported under this section. If the department determines that said persons cannot be transported safely without the assistance of monitors, said transporting shall include provision for monitors. Nothing in this section shall preclude the ability of parents to serve as unpaid monitors when their children are being transported.

Source: Massachusetts General Court (malegislature.gov)URL: https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXVI/Chapter111GFetched: 10/20/2026