A family-centered early intervention (EI) approach mandated by the U.S. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part C, means involving parents fully in EI and ensuring they know their legal rights and responsibilities for participating. However, many parents report difficulty accessing information and decision-making in EI. IDEA…

Family-early educator partnerships are foundational to early childhood and early childhood special education, and collaborative decision-making regarding child and family need is recognized as a critical component of these partnerships. This study investigated how two Part C early intervention home visitors and four parents communicated during…

There is growing research aimed at translating parent-mediated interventions into Part C Early Intervention systems to examine the effectiveness and reach of these models. Although research to date suggests that Early Intervention providers deliver parent-mediated intervention near fidelity, current fidelity reporting practices make delivery…

Research Findings: A 2003 amendment to the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) required states to develop plans to ensure that children younger than the age of 3 years who are victims of substantiated abuse or neglect have access to developmental screenings. Programs authorized under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities…

Findings from a study investigating the effects of early intervention settings on the extent of parent involvement in IDEA Part C Infant and Toddler Programs are reported. Participants were 124 parents and other primary caregivers of children receiving early intervention in 22 states who completed an investigator-developed scale measuring…

Parents of young children participating in either Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part C early intervention or IDEA Part B-619 preschool special education programs were surveyed to obtain a consumer science perspective of the practitioners who were the children's primary service providers. Parents were asked to make judgments of…

Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) includes a provision for states to provide early intervention (EI) for infants and toddlers demonstrating developmental challenges. Limited data identify how parents, and especially fathers, feel about their experiences participating in Part C EI. This study investigated how fathers…

The Child Development Institute, a nonprofit early intervention program in California, conducted a needs assessment which revealed a community that was receiving little support for infants and toddlers. There was virtually no enrollment in Part C early intervention services despite ranking high on environmental risk factors. This article describes…

Approximately 225,000 children from birth to age three are affected by developmental delays, and additionally, 49,000 are affected by a physical disability (U.S. Census Bureau, 2006). Fortunately there are policies and programs that help young children with disabilities achieve positive outcomes in school and live independent lives in the future.…

A study of 8,696 infants and toddlers eligible for early intervention services in North Carolina from 1991-1996 found the majority were identified as having a developmental delay, with the mean age of entry into the system at approximately 17 months. Notable trends included an increase in parent referrals. (Contains references.) (CR)

This Colorado manual offers guidelines for parent counseling and training, which is seen as a special education related service to assist parents of students with disabilities in the development and implementation of the child's Individualized Education Program (IEP). The introduction addresses the purpose and benefits of parent counseling and…

Each of the six stories on this 50-minute videotape demonstrates recommended practices as therapists and early childhood specialists work collaboratively with families to achieve meaningful goals for their children in everyday routines and activities. "Just Being Kids" was developed for use in both pre-service and in-service training…

This paper discusses three Federal programs related to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): (1) Part H, the Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities; (2) Section 619 of Part B, the Preschool Grants Program; and (3) under Part C, the Early Education Program for Children with Disabilities (EEPCD). An overview of each of…

This paper discusses three Federal programs related to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): (1) Part C, the Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities; (2) Section 619 of Part B, the Preschool Grants Program; and (3) Part D, National Activities to Improve Education of Children with Disabilities. An overview of each of…

This special double issue of the "Early Childhood Bulletin" explores issues for parents who are members of Interagency Coordinating Councils (ICCs) for their states' early intervention programs. The first article discusses issues parents may want to consider before they assume new roles in their ICC and in related activities. It also…