Young children who have special needs are entitled to certain supports, services and rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The Early Intervention Program for Infants and Toddlers (0-36 months) with Disabilities of the IDEA (Part C) is available in all 50 states and 7 territories.

Any child under the age of three in the U.S. or its territories who has a disability or significant delays in development is entitled to receive early intervention services. In eight states, the program also includes children who are at-risk for delays in development.

The federal law is fairly specific about parents’ rights, the types of services to be provided, the types of person who are qualified to deliver services, how services are to be provided and how they are to be coordinated. In each state and territory there is a lead state agency to administer this program and within that agency is a person designated as the program’s coordinator.

Congress established this program 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.

IDEA Part C services related to the infant or toddler’s development are offered to families at no cost unless state laws requires a system of payments by families, which includes a schedule of sliding fees. Some state’s medical services do have a sliding fee.

Early childcare and education programs can work with parents and intervention specialists to enhance the educational opportunities of young children with delays or disabilities. A childcare health consultant or childcare resource and referral agency might be a local source to contact for information on IDEA Part C services available to parents and children in your area.

The IDEA Infant and Toddlers Coordinators Association offers resource information and position statements: www.ideainfanttoddler.org

The IDEA Partnership is a collaboration of national organizations and governmental agencies. The Partnership website lists a variety of articles and other resources: www.ideapartnership.org

The state coordinators for IDEA Part C can be found on this website: www.nectac.org/contact/ptccoord.asp

Zero to Three, National Center for Infants, Toddlers and Families, 2000 M St., NW, Ste. 200, Washington, DC 20036; 202-638-1144; www.zerothree.org