Early Intervention

Early Intervention

Any one of the agencies that we have just discussed can determin that a child requires additional support whether it is physical, educational or developmental. Targeting these needs in the birth to five populations is crucial. The earlier a child receives services the best chance we have in preventing lasting delays.

Within early intervention, we again are presented with working with another set of policies, agencies and programs. In 1990, the Education of All Handicapped Children Act (EHA) was amended and renamed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Part C went into effect in 1993 was set in to place to govern early intervention programs for infants and toddlers, aged birth through 2 years.

The Purpose of IDEA, Part C

• • Enhance the development of infants and toddlers and to minimize potential for delays

  • Reduce educational costs by minimizing the need for special education and related services later

  • Minimize the likelihood of institutionalization

  • Enhance the capacity of families to meet the special needs of infants and toddlers

    • See Module 4, Handout 5 for information on the California Early Intervention Services Act.

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