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The latest version of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004) was signed into law on Dec. 3, 2004, by President George W. Bush. The provisions of IDEA 2004 were effective on July 1, 2005. IDEA guides how schools deliver special education and related services to children with disabilities from birth to age 21. The regulations that provide guidance to states about how to implement IDEA are effective as of October 13, 2006. IDEA is divided into five parts (Part A – E). Part C of IDEA regulates the process by which infants and toddlers (from birth to age 3) receive services. IDEA now allows flexibility to make Part C services available to children from age 3 until eligible to enter kindergarten or elementary school. This allows for a smoother transition for children who have received services from a very young age while promoting school readiness, early literacy, language and numeracy skills in the services offered. For children who are newly identified at age three through pre-kindergarten, services are provided under Part B Section 619 of IDEA. Each state typically has one agency that is in charge of the early intervention system for infants and toddlers with special needs, known as Part C of IDEA. This agency is known as the lead agency and may also be known as ‘Child Find’ within the state. It may be the state educational agency, generally the state’s department of education, or another agency, such as the state health department. Each state decides which agency will serve as the lead agency. Child Find is also required to identify children who need early intervention services. Child Find operates in every state and conducts screenings to identify children who may need early intervention services. These screenings are provided free of charge; however the Part C lead agency and the Section 619 lead agency may not always be the same. To find out the lead agency in your state, please visit www.nichcy.org. The early intervention system has a defined process in place to determine if an infant, toddler or preschooler is eligible for early intervention services. Parents of preschoolers are referred to Child Find or the lead agency. Agency staff members then set up and carry out a multidisciplinary evaluation of the child as provided for under Part B of IDEA. Funding for Part B Section 619 and Part C of IDEA flow to states based on the number of children being served under these programs. Parents also have local access to information and training through federally funded Parent Training and Information Centers. Each state is home to at least one parent center. Parent centers serve families of children and young adults from birth to age 22 with all disabilities. The centers help families obtain appropriate education and services for their children with disabilities; work to improve education results for all children; train and inform parents and professionals on a variety of topics; resolve problems between families and schools or other agencies; and connect children with disabilities to community resources that address their needs. For more information on IDEA, visit the IDEA section of the LD.org website.For more information contact: National Technical Assistance Center For additional information about early childhood policy and programs, go to the Readings and Resources section. |