Background
The Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities (Part C of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act – IDEA) is a federal program that assists states in operating a comprehensive statewide program of early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities, birth through age 2 years, and their families. States must assure that early intervention services will be available to every eligible child and its family. 
Also, the governor must designate a lead agency to receive the grant and administer the program, and appoint an Interagency Coordinating Council (ICC), including parents of young children with disabilities, to advise and assist the lead agency. Currently, all states and eligible territories are participating in the Part C program. Annual funding to each state is based upon census figures of the number of children, birth through 2, in the general population.
Congress established the program in 1986 in recognition of “an urgent and substantial need” to:
- Enhance the development of infants and toddlers with disabilities
- Reduce educational costs by minimizing the need for special education through early intervention
- Minimize the likelihood of institutionalization, and maximize independent living; and,
- Enhance the capacity of families to meet their child’s needs.
Purpose of the Project
Part C services to infants and toddlers are provided by a diverse group of professionals, not all of whom meet the standards established in IDEA. The Department of Health and Social Services has contracted with Information Insights to develop a series of service delivery guidelines that will provide a common understanding of service requirements for all professionals, including those in related disciplines such as speech therapy, physical therapy, social work, etc. The service guidelines will be built on current best practices and will be part of the effort to build a comprehensive, professional development system. The service delivery guidelines will be produced in two versions, one for professionals and the other for families.
Service Delivery Guidelines will be developed for the following:
- Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Natural Environments
- Children Referred for Speech Delays
- Early Childhood Mental Health (clinical services, as well as the pyramid model)
- Young Children Who are Hard of Hearing or Deaf
- Nutrition
- Assistive Technology
- Children with Complex Medical Needs
- Family Service Coordination
- Evaluation/Assessment
- Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP)
Information Insights has assembled a team with an understanding of the importance of Part C services to infants and toddlers, significant experience in the development of program standards, experience with the Part C stakeholders, and a reputation for the development of high quality, easily understandable documents. The project team, led by Ellen Ganley, is working with Part C stakeholders to develop guidelines for each of the 11 areas listed above.
Stakeholder Comments
Draft guidelines will be posted on this website for review and comment as they are completed. Please contact the Project Manager with any questions or concerns about the project.