Education

Early Childhood & Family Support - Infants and Toddlers Part C

Statewide Outcome(s):

Infant and Toddlers Part C supports the following statewide outcome(s).

Minnesotans have the education and skills needed to achieve their goals.

Strong and stable families and communities.

Context:

Research shows that when children with developmental delays are receiving early intervention they are less likely to need special education services at age three or beyond. The Part C - Infants and Toddlers program is federally regulated and provides individualized family-centered services to eligible children and their families. Part C services are provided through federal funds, state special education aid and general education revenue.

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Strategies:

Infants and Toddlers Part C serves eligible infants and toddlers with disabilities birth to age three and their families.

Early intervention services are offered in conformity with an individual family services plan (IFSP) and are most often provided in the home, child care, or other early childhood education settings. School districts are responsible for the evaluation of children referred and for the provision of the early intervention services.

Federal Part C funds support 12 Interagency Early Intervention Committees (IEICs) through the IEIC annual application planning process. IEICs are responsible for the development, coordination, and implementation of comprehensive local interagency early childhood intervention services for young children with disabilities and their families. IEIC members include representatives of school districts, county human service agencies, county boards, early childhood family education programs, parents of young children with disabilities under age 12, and health care providers.

Additional components of the Part C state and local system to enhance quality and accountability include:

·         local staff development, opportunities for occupational therapists, ECSE staff, speech pathologists, physical therapists, physicians, nurses, nutritionists, and child care providers;

·         technical assistance to local areas through the Minnesota Technical Assistance for Family Support, Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Network, center for inclusive child care, and the Autism Network, Center of Excellence for Young Children with Disabilities;

·         the development of Web-based applications to serve as a resource for parents and teachers;

·         the central directory and 800 number which provides parents with referral and resource information;

·         local and state interagency agreements that include procedures for intra- and interagency dispute resolution, complaints, agency roles and responsibilities for child find services, service coordination, financial commitments, and data collection;

·         due process procedures for families and service providers; and

·         coordination with child care providers and other early childhood service providers to improve Child Find.

Results:

In 2010–11, infants and toddlers with delays or disabilities who received services under the Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) showed greater than expected developmental progress. Many children exited the program functioning within age expectations, and most made progress.

Performance Measures Notes:

Current year: FY 2010, Previous year FY 2009

Additional information on these and other performance measures is available within Minnesota’s Part C Annual Performance Report at http://education.state.mn.us/MDE/Welcome/AdvBCT/ICC/index.html