Champaign County Birth to 6 Council

Bylaws of Champaign County Birth to Six Council of Families and Agencies

ARTICLE 1: NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Champaign County Birth to Six Council of Families and Agencies, a.k.a. Birth to Six Council. The Birth to Six Council is a coalition of local community groups including Child and Family Connections #16 and United Way Success By 6®.

ARTICLE II: MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Birth to Six Council is to coordinate a comprehensive family-centered system of support in Champaign County for families with young children, including those with or at risk of physical, social/emotional, and/or developmental needs.

ARTICLE III: VISION STATEMENT

The Birth to Six Council recognizes the role of the family as the primary influence in promoting a child's development.

The Birth to Six Council envisions families, independent providers, agencies, and concerned community members working together to:

  • Identify children age birth to six with or at risk of physical, social/emotional, and/or developmental needs
  • Ensure access to services
  • Raise public awareness
  • Advocate for families with young children including those with or at risk of physical, social/emotional, and/or developmental needs
  • Recruit knowledgeable and skilled providers
  • Promote interagency collaboration
  • Support local efforts to provide family-centered services
  • Promote high quality services

This continued collaborative effort is essential to the success of the local system in terms of service facilitation and delivery, family support and advocacy, system planning and funding.

ARTICLE IV: MEMBERSHIP

SECTION I: The Birth to Six Council will strive to have membership that includes family members, independent providers, agency/program representatives, and concerned community members residing in and/or serving Champaign County.

SECTION II: It is a goal of the Birth to Six Council to have representation from a parent/family of a young child with or at risk of physical, social/emotional, and/or developmental needs. The Birth to Six Council budget may provide for a limited number of stipends for parent members to attend council related events.

SECTION III: All members shall have a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on file with the Birth to Six Council. The members shall update the MOU annually to be collected by the Local Interagency Council (LIC) Coordinator.

SECTION IV: All members may serve on a committee of their choice.

SECTION V: The Birth to Six Council has an open enrollment policy. New members may enroll by completing an MOU.

ARTICLE V: SUPPORT STAFF & COUNCIL OFFICERS

SECTION I: The support staff of the Birth to Six Council shall include a Local Interagency Council Coordinator funded by the CFC. See Appendix A for the LIC Coordinator Job Description.

SECTION II: The volunteer Council Co-Chairs shall be elected by the council members and serve for a term of one fiscal year. The Council Co-Chairs, in conjunction with the LIC Coordinator, shall be in charge of setting an agenda for the Birth to Six Council meetings with input from the Executive Committee. They shall chair each meeting using Robert's Rules of Order, appoint members to standing or ad hoc committees, and assigned other duties as directed by the Birth to Six Council.

SECTION III: An ad hoc nominating committee shall be appointed at the January meeting and present its slate for action at the May meeting. The election of incoming Officers shall take place before the end of the fiscal year. Newly elected Officers will assume responsibilities effective July 1.

ARTICLE VI: COMMITTEES

SECTION I: The following are the standing committees of the Birth to Six Council. Each committee will have a chairperson responsible for overseeing committee meetings, and reporting on said meeting to the Council.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: The purpose of the Executive Committee will be:

  • Organize the Birth to Six Council meetings (agenda, minutes, etc.);
  • Perform budget and other administrative duties, e.g. Annual Plan, and;
  • Conduct membership recruitment.

Action taken by the Executive Committee must be ratified by the Birth to Six Council membership. The Committee shall be comprised of the two Co-Chairs and Committee Chairs with the LIC Coordinator serving as an ex officio member.

PUBLIC AWARENESS COMMITTEE: The purpose of the Public Awareness Committee will be to coordinate public awareness activities to promote the mission of the Birth to Six Council.

CHILD FIND COMMITTEE: The purpose of the Child Find Committee will be to coordinate and monitor efforts in order to identify children in Champaign County who may be in need of birth to six services. The Child and Family Connections Service Coordinator (representative) shall serve as an ex officio member.

PROVIDER RECRUITMENT COMMITTEE: The purpose of this committee shall be to encourage recruitment of providers who serve children birth to six and their families in the Champaign County service area, especially where there are gaps in meeting service needs.

SECTION II: AD HOC COMMITTEES: their purpose will be developed as needed by the Birth to Six Council.

SECTION III: Each committee shall attempt to include at least one parent/family representative.

SECTION IV: The LIC Coordinator will be available to advise and assist committees at the request of the committee chairperson.

SECTION V: Committee meeting dates will be determined by each respective committee.

ARTICLE VII: MEETINGS

SECTION I: A minimum of five (5) Birth to Six Council meetings shall be held throughout the year.

SECTION II: Guests and volunteers are welcome to attend Birth to Six Council and committee meetings.

SECTION III: Robert’s Rules of Order shall be followed in deliberations of the Birth to Six Council unless otherwise precluded by these bylaws.

ARTICLE VIII: FISCAL YEAR

The Fiscal Year of the Birth to Six Council shall be July 1 through June 30.

ARTICLE IX: ANNUAL PLAN

As mandated by the Early Intervention Service System Act P.A. 87-860, an early intervention plan will be submitted annually to the CFC by the LIC Coordinator. Prior to its submission, the document shall be reviewed and voted on by the Birth to Six Council membership. The plan shall be consistent with the state effort.

ARTICLE X: AMENDMENTS AND REVIEW

SECTION I:These bylaws may be amended by a majority vote at any scheduled Birth to Six Council meeting, provided a quorum of the membership is present. A quorum shall be a simple majority of council membership. Amendment proposals shall be listed on the agenda as an item for discussion and marked for action.

SECTION II: The bylaws of the Birth to Six Council shall be reviewed annually to ascertain compliance with current regulations and appropriateness to the needs of families with young children including those with or at risk of physical, social/emotional, and/or developmental needs.

Adopted 11-16-2009

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