This study interviewed 58 parents of preschool-aged disabled children about their perceptions of infant and family services proposed under Public Law 99-457. Parents expressed desires for knowledge about their child and available services, and stressed the importance of professionals empowering families to make their own decisions. (Author/PB)

The article examines effects of implementation of the Handicapped Act Amendments of 1986, Part H, Handicapped Infants and Toddlers, including goals and expectations for family support, a comprehensive family support program, and assessment and service options. (DB)

This information packet is designed to assist local interagency councils to implement Public Law 99-457's requirements concerning the provision of high quality services to preschool children with disabilities and their families. The model described provides a framework for continual coordination of agency programs as well as use of collaboration…

This information sheet summarizes findings from two reports: "Staffing Patterns and Team Models in Infancy Programs" by Jeanette McCollum and Mary-alayne Hughes, and "Early Intervention Team Approaches: The Transdisciplinary Model" by Geneva Woodruff and Mary McGonigel. The digest outlines the provisions of the Education of the…

The transition of children between the two programs of Public Law 99-457, serving children aged birth through two and age three through five, can impact on state administration and local agency administration of the programs. Recommendations are provided for facilitating the family's and child's transition and ensuring continuity in services.…

The development of comprehensive, coordinated, multidisciplinary services for young handicapped children is required by Public Law 99-457. The article presents a definition of technical assistance, a description of developmental levels in service provision, suggestions for designing such services, and a discussion of major needs of states…

The report analyzes roles of mental health professionals in implementing Public Law 99-457, the Education of the Handicapped Amendments of 1986, which established the Child and Adolescent Service System Program (CASSP). A December, 1987, conference of administrators, clinicians, policymakers, and parent representatives from federal, state, and…

A work group convened by the Director of the U.S. Office of Maternal and Child Health examined the need and opportunity for a continuum of care to serve vulnerable populations of pregnant women and infants, and made recommendations for improving linkages among the various services needed by these mothers and their infants. Barriers to linkage…

The study analyzed 102 family members' and practitioners' opinions about expected early intervention outcomes for families of disabled individuals, and identified preferences for information gathering methods concerning family strengths and needs for Individualized Family Service Plans. (Author/PB)

This "Feature Issue" of the quarterly journal "Impact" presents 19 brief articles on family support systems in the United States for persons with developmental disabilities and their families. Emphasis is on provisions of Public Law 99-457. Articles include: "Family Support in the United States: Setting a Course for the…

The report provides evaluation data (1986-87) for the Resource Access Project (RAP) network, a system to facilitate the delivery of handicap services in Head Start programs. The introduction provides background information on the network and summarizes changes in the network during this program year. Changes include budgetary cuts due to the…

The article proposes several future challenges for the early childhood special education field in the context of implementing current policy (e.g., Public Law 99-457). The article also describes possible roles and responsibilities of professionals and other advocates in shaping future policy. (Author/DB)

This paper examines policy options in implementing least restrictive environment (LRE) requirements of federal legislation (Public Laws 99-457 and 94-142), and offers recommendations regarding the array of placement options that should be available in relation to preschool children with handicaps. First, the legal interpretation of LRE is analyzed…

This report discusses family policy issues raised by the implementation of Public Law 99-457, Part H, the Infants and Toddlers section of the Education of the Handicapped Amendments of 1986. The report is the outcome of a policy options work conference in which a small group of knowledgeable parents and professionals identified key policy issues.…

Key aspects of P.L. 99-457, the Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments of 1986, affecting handicapped infants, toddlers, and preschoolers from birth to age 5 are summarized. Presented in a question answer format the information digest addresses the following questions: What children are eligible for early intervention services? Are these…