Early
Intervention Programs
Early
Intervention services are mandated through the federal Individuals
with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Services are delivered
through early intervention programs and local school districts.
Minnesota law requires that "all educationally necessary
services must be provided at no cost to families, while other
interagency services may have fees attached to them."
What
are "early intervention services?
Early intervention services are services provided to a family
to help "meet the developmental needs of an infant or toddler
with a disability" in one or more specified areas (PACER,
2001). Examples of services include family training and counseling,
audiology services, occupational therapy, physical therapy, psychological
services, vision services, and assistive technology services.
The specific types of services a family receives will depend upon
the needs of the child and family.
How
does a family go about getting these services?
The process of getting services for children aged newborn to age
five typically begins when an audiologist confirms a child's status
as deaf/hard of hearing, and then refers the parents to an early
intervention program. A parent can also contact their school district,
county human services, or public health office if they think their
child needs help (PACER, 1997).
Early
intervention programs conduct initial screenings and pass this
information on the child's local school. Many parents will be
surprised to learn that local school districts are involved in
providing services to children who are far too young to enroll
in school. The families' early intervention Service Coordinator
can help inform the family about additional resources such as
those related to health care, housing, and other needs.
Once
the school receives information about the child and family, the
district typically sends an interdisciplinary team to the family's
home to conduct a full assessment of the family's and child's
needs. This team must include the parents, a special education
teacher, and a school district representative. Depending upon
need, the team can also include many other people such as physical
therapists, speech/language pathologists, nurses, and psychologists
(PACER, 2001).
What
is an "educational plan"? Do I need one to get services?
After the interdisciplinary team conducts it's evaluation and
determines eligibility and needs, team and parents work together
to develop an educational plan. This plan describes what outcomes,
objectives, and services the family will receive to meet the educational
needs of the child and family. For children under age three, this
plan is generally referred to as Individualized Family Service
Plan (IFSP). An Individualized Education Program (IEP)
is developed for older children. Once the IFSP or IEP is in place,
services can be provided to the child and family.
Another
type of educational plan is the IIIP (Individual Interagency Intervention
Plan). As Carolyn Anderson at PACER explains, "a state law
was passed in Minnesota to establish a partnership between agencies
serving children with disabilities and their families. Children
who receive special education services and services from another
public agency will qualify for an IIIP. All the essential components
of an IEP or IFSP are also in the IIIP. Parents may chose whether
or not to use the IIIP process." For more information, contact
PACER Center at (952) 838-9000 (V) or (952) 838=0190 (TTY).
www.pacer.org
Where
can I go for more information?
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