Early Intervention Services in California: A Journey through Early Start with Three Children Developed by California Map to Inclusive Child Care WestEd Center for Child & Family Studies in collaboration with California Department of Developmental Services California Map to Inclusive Child Care is funded by the California Department of Education, Child Development Division, with a portion of the federal Child Care Development Fund Quality Improvement Allocation An Expanded Overview of California’s Early Start

California Map to Inclusive Child Care 12/01/20072 Conditions for Use of This Presentation  This PowerPoint TM and accompanying notes were developed by the California Map to Inclusive Child Care Project for use in training and educational settings.  This document was reviewed and approved by the California Department of Education, Child Development Division, as well as the Special Education Division and Department of Developmental Services, when appropriate.  The information regarding the laws and regulations were accurate at the time of distribution.  Modification of the content is not permitted. Local information may be used as a supplement, but shall not be represented as part of the document.  Users are free to duplicate this material in its entirety, with appropriate credit, for educational purposes only.

California Map to Inclusive Child Care 12/01/20073 Intent of This Overview To assist early educators in understanding the Early Start early intervention system: when a child in their care, birth to age three years of age, has an identified disability when they have concerns that a child in their care, birth to age three years of age, might have a disability, developmental delay or be at risk for a developmental disability

California Map to Inclusive Child Care 12/01/20074  California law since 1980  Lanterman Developmental Disability Act in 1982 California’s History of Serving Infants and Toddlers

California Map to Inclusive Child Care 12/01/20075 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)  Federal legislation mandates special education for all eligible children  IDEA Part B: services for children with disabilities ages three through twenty-one  IDEA Part C: services for children birth to three years of age

California Map to Inclusive Child Care 12/01/20076 Early Start is California’s early intervention service system under Part C of IDEA Early Start = Part C

California Map to Inclusive Child Care 12/01/20077 Early Start seeks to promote and enhance a coordinated, family- focused service system for infants and toddlers from birth to age three years with a developmental delay, a disability, or who are at risk of a developmental disability.

California Map to Inclusive Child Care 12/01/20078 Early Start is Designed to:  Provide a system of referral and assessment that results in individualized services supports infants and toddlers and their families within their community  Be family-focused by keeping families informed about services for their child supporting families and including them as collaborative decision makers

California Map to Inclusive Child Care 12/01/20079 Early Start Administration  The California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is the lead agency for overall administration of Early Start.  DDS collaborates with the California Department of Education, Special Education Division, in the provision of services for some children.

California Map to Inclusive Child Care 12/01/ Eligibility Criteria  A developmental delay in one or more of five areas  An established risk condition known to cause delay  At high risk for a developmental disability

California Map to Inclusive Child Care 12/01/ Early Start Services  Are designed to meet needs of each infant or toddler and needs of the family  Are provided in “natural environments”  Are provided at no cost to families by qualified personnel  Include transition to appropriate services at three years of age

California Map to Inclusive Child Care 12/01/ Natural Environment  Any setting where typically developing children of a similar chronological age are found  Includes home, neighborhood, child care, preschool, parks, birthday parties, informal gatherings of family and friends, etc.  A “Natural Environment” is more than a location. It is a way of approaching service.

California Map to Inclusive Child Care 12/01/ A Natural Environment  a location where this child would go if he did not have a disability  where other children go who do not have disabilities  in a part of the community where children and families without disabilities spend time when they are not being treated or tested for illness or health issues  a location where people usually go because they have disabilities or medical issues  a location that was chosen because it had specialized equipment  a location that was chosen because it was convenient for specialists who work with the child Is Is Not

California Map to Inclusive Child Care 12/01/ Early Start Services can Include:  Assistive technology devices/services  Audiology services  Family training, counseling, home visits  Some health services  Medical services for diagnosis and evaluation  Nursing services  Nutrition services  Occupational therapy  Physical therapy  Psychological services  Service coordination  Special instruction  Social work services  Transportation services  Speech and language services  Vision services  Respite care  Others as needed

California Map to Inclusive Child Care 12/01/ Family Involvement  Families are an integral part of evaluation and assessment  Families participate in Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) development  Early Start services support families and help them meet the special needs of their infants or toddlers

California Map to Inclusive Child Care 12/01/ Early Start Family Resource Centers (FRCs)  55 FRCs in California receive funding to provide parent- to-parent support to families  FRCs are primarily staffed by parents who have children with special needs  Services are provided in a nonclinical, family-centered atmosphere  Child care providers can also access libraries at FRCs

California Map to Inclusive Child Care 12/01/ Family Resource Centers  Support the emotional and informational needs of families  Provide referral information and outreach to underserved populations  Support child find activities and family/professional collaborative activities  Assist families with transition  Provide support services and resources in many languages  Are culturally responsive to the needs of families

California Map to Inclusive Child Care 12/01/ Parents’ Rights Parents have rights and protections to ensure that early intervention services are provided to their children: in a manner appropriate to their needs in consideration of family concerns in compliance with state and federal statutes

California Map to Inclusive Child Care 12/01/ Mediation and Due Process Parents have the right to mediation and due process hearings in Early Start if they have a disagreement with a regional center or LEA about: identification evaluation assessment placement of their child provision of appropriate early intervention services

California Map to Inclusive Child Care 12/01/ Early Start Looks Different in Each Community. Why?  History  Local decision-making  Locally available resources

California Map to Inclusive Child Care 12/01/ Let’s Follow Three Children on Their Journeys

California Map to Inclusive Child Care 12/01/ We’ll look at the following questions: Who suspected/identified delay, disability, or risk factor? Who initiated the referral? Who participated in assessment and planning process? What agencies are involved? What services are provided, where, and by whom? Who monitors the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)? Journey Through Early Start

California Map to Inclusive Child Care 12/01/  Micah was born 9 weeks early, at 31 weeks gestation to Shauna  He was small and needed a respirator for breathing for several weeks  Hospital staff talked with Jackson, Micah’s father, about Early Start before Micah left the hospital  Jackson asked hospital staff to call Early Start to start the referral process Micah

California Map to Inclusive Child Care 12/01/  An assessment was completed by a regional center team: a doctor, occupational therapist (OT), and physical therapist (PT)  A service coordinator from regional center held the IFSP meeting with the family and a local early intervention service provider  The team provided input in writing  Services were provided by a local early intervention agency Micah

California Map to Inclusive Child Care 12/01/  Micah received weekly visits at his home from an early intervention assistant supervised by a specialist at the early intervention agency  OT and PT were provided monthly  Micah’s child care provider could request a visit at any time  His regional center service coordinator monitored the IFSP Micah

California Map to Inclusive Child Care 12/01/ Identification & Referral  Who suspected or identified delay, disability, or risk factor? Hospital medical staff  Who initiated the referral? Hospital staff, after talking with Micah’s father

California Map to Inclusive Child Care 12/01/ Assessment & Agencies  Who participated in assessment and planning process? Regional center team: doctor, occupational therapist (OT), physical therapist (PT) and Micah’s parents  What agencies are involved? Regional center and an early intervention agency that contracts with regional center

California Map to Inclusive Child Care 12/01/ Services & Monitoring of Services  What services are provided, where, and by whom? Weekly home visits by early interventionist; monthly home visits by OT and PT.  Who monitors the individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)? Regional center service coordinator

California Map to Inclusive Child Care 12/01/ Services Provided for Micah:  Assistive technology devices/services  Audiology services  Family training, counseling, home visits  Some health services  Medical services for diagnosis and evaluation  Nursing services  Nutrition services  Occupational therapy  Physical therapy  Psychological services  Service coordination  Special instruction  Social work services  Transportation services  Speech and language services  Vision services  Respite care  Others as needed

California Map to Inclusive Child Care 12/01/  Born full term to Lynn, a teen mom  Zack and his mom live with her parents  By six months, grandparents began to wonder about Zack’s vision  Mom and grandmother discussed concerns with pediatrician  Pediatrician checked, took a “wait and see” approach Zack

California Map to Inclusive Child Care 12/01/  Grandmother contacted local Family Resource Center (FRC)  Grandmother attended several play days at FRC with Zack  FRC staff supported concerns about Zack’s vision  After several months, Mom requested a referral to a pediatric ophthalmologist  He confirmed Zack’s vision problem and provided referral information to the LEA for Early Start services Zack

California Map to Inclusive Child Care 12/01/  The LEA was represented by the county office of education infant program  By sixteen months, Zack was assessed by the LEA assessment team, which included a vision specialist  An IFSP was developed by the family and LEA representatives to identify needs and services, with input from the ophthalmologist Zack

California Map to Inclusive Child Care 12/01/  Weekly home visits are provided by a LEA vision specialist through the county office infant program  Zack is beginning to use specialized equipment to assist him in using his limited vision  This equipment is also called assistive technology devices under IFSP services Zack

California Map to Inclusive Child Care 12/01/ Identification Who suspected or identified delay, disability, or risk factor? Micah: Hospital medical staff Zack: Grandparents suspected Zack’s vision problem; Family Resource Center staff supported their concern

California Map to Inclusive Child Care 12/01/ Referral Who initiated the referral? Micah: Hospital staff, after talking with Micah’s father Zack: Ophthalmologist provided referral information for Early Start to Zack’s mom and grandmother

California Map to Inclusive Child Care 12/01/ Assessment Who participated in assessment & planning process? Micah:Regional center team: doctor, occupational therapist (OT), physical therapist (PT) and Micah’s parents Zack: Local Education Area (LEA) assessment team and Zack’s mom and grandparents

California Map to Inclusive Child Care 12/01/ Agencies What agencies are involved? Micah: Regional center and an early intervention agency that contracts with regional center Zack: Ophthalmologist, county schools office infant program (the representative of the LEA for Early Start in this county)

California Map to Inclusive Child Care 12/01/ Services What services are provided, where, and by whom? Micah: Weekly home visits by early interventionist, monthly home visits by OT and PT Zack: Weekly visits by the LEA/county schools office infant program vision specialist at home with grandmother and mom

California Map to Inclusive Child Care 12/01/ Monitoring of Services Who monitors the Individualized Family Service Plan? Micah: Regional center service coordinator Zack: County schools office/LEA vision specialist

California Map to Inclusive Child Care 12/01/ Services Provided for Zack:  Assistive technology devices/services  Audiology services  Family training, counseling, home visits  Some health services  Medical services for diagnosis & evaluation  Nursing services  Nutrition services  Occupational therapy  Physical therapy  Psychological services  Service coordination  Special instruction  Social work services  Transportation services  Speech and language services  Vision services  Respite care  Others as needed

California Map to Inclusive Child Care 12/01/ Ana  Ana was a newborn foster child, whose mother has a developmental disability  Her foster parents had some questions about her development. A friend shared that due to her mother’s disability, Ana was eligible for Early Start services as an “at risk infant” (high risk of developmental delay)

California Map to Inclusive Child Care 12/01/  Her foster mother contacted regional center and said, “Someone told me you could help. What do I need to do?”  Regional center scheduled an intake visit at Ana’s home and determined that Ana was eligible for services due to her own developmental disability  Further assessment was completed by a developmental psychologist at a hospital and during a home visit by an early interventionist Ana

California Map to Inclusive Child Care 12/01/  An early interventionist makes weekly visits to Ana’s family child care home and consults with the OT and PT  Ana’s foster parents take her to OT and PT appointments at the local Children’s Hospital clinic every other week  Since Ana is now 2½, her early interventionist is talking to her foster family about transition to preschool Ana

California Map to Inclusive Child Care 12/01/ Identification Who suspected delay, disability, or risk factor? Micah: Hospital medical staff Zack: Grandparents suspected Zack’s vision problem; Family Resource Center staff supported their concern Ana: Ana’s foster mother

California Map to Inclusive Child Care 12/01/ Referral Who initiated the referral to Early Start? Micah:Hospital staff, after talking with Micah’s father Zack: Ophthalmologist provided referral information for Early Start to Zack’s mom and grandmother Ana: Her foster mother contacted regional center to find out what to do

California Map to Inclusive Child Care 12/01/ Assessment Who participated in assessment & planning process? Micah: Regional center team: doctor, occupational therapist, physical therapist and Micah’s parents Zack: Local Education Area (LEA) assessment team and Zack’s mom and grandparents Ana: Regional center intake team, county office early intervention team, developmental psychologist, foster parents, and Ana’s social worker

California Map to Inclusive Child Care 12/01/ Agencies What agencies are involved? Micah: Regional center and an early intervention agency that contracts with regional center Zack: Ophthalmologist, County Schools Infant Program Ana: Regional center, county’s infant program, Children’s Hospital, county foster care program

California Map to Inclusive Child Care 12/01/ Services What services are provided, where, and by whom? Micah: Weekly home visits by early interventionist; monthly home visits by OT and PT. Zack: Weekly home visits by vision specialist Ana: Home visits and OT/PT consultation by infant program, OT/PT services at medical clinic, and transition services through regional center and school district

California Map to Inclusive Child Care 12/01/ Monitoring of Services Who monitors the Individualized Family Service Plan? Micah: Regional center service coordinator Zack: County schools vision specialist Ana: Regional center service coordinator

California Map to Inclusive Child Care 12/01/ Services Provided for Ana:  Assistive technology devices/services  Audiology services  Family training, counseling, home visits  Some health services  Medical services for diagnosis & evaluation  Nursing services  Nutrition services  Occupational therapy  Physical therapy  Psychological services  Service coordination  Special instruction  Social work services  Transportation services  Speech and language services  Vision services  Respite care  Others as needed

California Map to Inclusive Child Care 12/01/  Because Early Start (Part C) applies only to a child under three years of age, the law requires the family to be informed about the transition that will occur when the child turns three years of age  Transition services are intended to support and prepare parents and their child to exit Early Start at three years of age Transition at Three Years of Age

California Map to Inclusive Child Care 12/01/ Transition Options  Special education preschool under Part B and/or  Ongoing regional center services and/or  Community options Child care Private preschool or Head Start Remaining at home with the family Other unique options in a community

California Map to Inclusive Child Care 12/01/ Transitions For more information, see the PowerPoint ™ presentation in this series entitled “Transition in Early Childhood at Age Three for Children with Special Needs”

California Map to Inclusive Child Care 12/01/ For More Information  Websites Map to Inclusive Child Care: Early Start: Other:  Early Childhood Special Education Handbooks available through CDE Press, the California Department of Education’s publisher:  Early Start Resources distributes Early Start products at no cost and maintains an extensive early intervention library: