Bill > SB472

This bill aims to streamline the assessment process for children who receive special education and related services, as these children often interact with multiple agencies like regional centers, California Children's Services (CCS), and county mental health services. Currently, these different organizations may require separate annual assessments and repeated submission of information by parents, creating a significant burden on families. To address this, the Secretary of California Health and Human Services and the Superintendent of Public Instruction, in collaboration with representatives from county mental health services and CCS, are directed to develop either a single, integrated assessment tool that can meet the needs of all involved agencies or a process that allows for multiple assessments to be conducted concurrently. This initiative will initially target infants and toddlers but is intended to be adaptable for older children as well, with a deadline of January 1, 2013, for completion and reporting to the Legislature.