Kathy Hebbeler SRI International February 17, 2010 Characteristics of Children Served in Part C

Objectives Share some information on what we know about children and families receiving Part C services Discuss the implications for child find, eligibility criteria and improving systems and services

Data Sources National Early Intervention Longitudinal Study (NEILS) ( Data States report annually to the U.S. Department of Education ( Patterns in the Identification of and Outcomes for Children and Youth With Disabilities (

NEILS Followed 3,338 children and families from entry to early intervention through kindergarten Families entered EI in Nationally representative study with data weighted to represent the nation (but the nation in 1998) Data collected shortly after family enrolled in EI Service providers --Study enrollment form Families – Telephone Interview Followed 3,338 children and families from entry to early intervention through kindergarten Families entered EI in Nationally representative study with data weighted to represent the nation (but the nation in 1998) Data collected shortly after family enrolled in EI Service providers --Study enrollment form Families – Telephone Interview

State Reported Data All states submit data annually to Office of Special Education Programs in the U.S. Department of Education Provides perspective on change over time Not much detail on characteristics of children and families being served.

Number of children has increased Note: This is a one day count. Number served in a year is higher

Percentage of children has increased

8 Percentage of children served nationally, and in by state (1997, 1998– 2005 average, and 2006) (IES Report)

9 Percentage of children ages birth through 2, by OSEP categorization of eligibility criteria (2006 data) (IES Report) National Average

More boys than girls NEILS found 61% boys

Most children are White (not Hispanic )

Proportionately more White and American Indian/Alaskan Native Children are served

Differences in trends by race/ethnicity

Over half of the children are over 2

Increase in % served varies by year of age

16 Percentage of Infants & Toddlers Entering Services by Age at Entry * * Age at development of the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP).

17 Eligibility for Early Intervention Services

18 Eligibility by Age at Entry

19 Reasons for Eligibility for EI: 0 to < 12 months

20 Reasons for Eligibility for EI: 12 to <24 Months Reasons for Eligibility for EI: 12 to < 24 months

21 Reasons for Eligibility for EI: 24 to 36 months

22 Average Age for Events Leading to Beginning Early Intervention

23 Over 1/3 children in EI are low birth weight *Source: Bloom and Tonthat (2002).

EI serving only a fraction of low birth weight babies in US 22% began EI after 12 months; 8% between 24 and 30 months (NEILS) According to CDC, in 2002:  314,077 LBW births occurred (7.8% of all births)  58,544 of these were VLBW (1.46% of all births). 39,000 children younger than age 1 were being served in EI in December

25 Health Status at Entry to EI *Source: Bloom and Tonthat (2002).

26 Household Characteristics 91% live with biological/adoptive mother. 69% live with biological/adoptive father. 7% are in foster care. 16% live in single parent households. 43% have household incomes less than $25, % have another child with special needs in the household.

Issues to Ponder Differences across states in percent served Differences by race/ethnicity Growth over time in the 2 to 3 year olds Timeline to IFSP Services to low birth babies 27