Posted on July 28, 2026

By Angela Rapp Kennedy, CQL Quality Enhancement Specialist

We are finding that more and more organizations serving children from birth through the age of 5 are partnering with CQL. With that, it seemed timely to devote an edition of Capstone to covering Early Intervention services – a federally-funded program supporting infants/toddlers with disabilities, developmental delays, or medical conditions likely to result in a delay, and their families.

In this article, we provide a brief history of Early Intervention services, with an exploration of the basic tenets, an overview of the state/federal system, and resources to add to your library.

History of Early Intervention Services

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was established in 1975 to mandate that students with disabilities be provided a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). IDEA Part B covers services for students with disabilities from the age of 3 through 21. Section 619 specifically relates to services for children from the age of 3 through 5. Early Intervention services for children from birth to age 3 are governed by Part C of the IDEA. While Early Intervention was not included in the original 1975 IDEA legislation, it was added in the 1986 reauthorization as Part H of IDEA. It was often referred to as the Infant Toddler Program. Much has changed over the years including Early Intervention becoming, as it’s known today, Part C of IDEA.

Inside Part C of IDEA

Part C is a discretionary program. Each state that chooses to participate is required to ensure that Early Intervention services are available to all eligible infants/toddlers and their families. They must designate a lead agency to oversee the services, and they are mandated to have a governor-appointed State Interagency Coordinating Council (ICC). 

Part C dictates the makeup of the Interagency Coordinating Council, which must include:

• At least 20% providers of Early Intervention services
• At least 20% parents, including minority parents, of infants or toddlers with disabilities or children with disabilities age 12 or younger
• Additional required designees represent the lead agency, other early childhood programs such as Head Start, Medicaid, state childcare and child welfare agencies, as well as the state legislature, the state office of insurance, personnel preparation, etc. 

The intended purpose of the council is to advise and assist the state’s lead agency in developing and implementing their Early Intervention service system through activities such as reviewing policy, managing interagency collaboration, handling budgeting and reporting duties, etc. Outreach and a transparent referral system, often known as Child Find, are additional requirements of Part C of IDEA.

Since the early investment in children can pay off in reduced costs down the road, most states have traditionally taken advantage of various exceptions/options to allow them to expand services beyond the age of 3 and to children “at-risk.” As federal programs are being re-organized and funding cuts loom, that may not always be the case.

Basic Values & Tenets of Early Intervention

It has long been held, and research supports, that intervening as early as possible in the life of an infant/toddler with a diagnosed disability, delay, or at-risk situation increases the likelihood of a positive outcome in later years and adulthood. 

With that, the goals of Early Intervention services fall broadly into three areas: 

1. Enhancing each child’s development and quality of life
2. Providing education, training, support, and resources to families
3. Increasing each child and family’s ability to be valued members of society

Fairly unique to Early Intervention is that the service is directed to the entire family – not only to the eligible child – underscoring the foundational philosophy that young children are most and best influenced, taught, nurtured, and develop, within the context of everyday family life and activities. This explains the strong focus in Part C of supporting children to grow and learn in their natural environments. Therapists of all varieties serve more as coaches and mentors for the families, providing the knowledge and skills to enable each family to be the primary teacher of their child. Thus, this is the reason for the required planning document being titled the Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP).

Transition is a focus from the very beginning since involvement in Early Intervention is time/age limited. Strong collaboration and interface with the educational and social service systems is critical. Service Coordination is a major component of Early Intervention, designed to support parents to understand and deal with their child’s developmental and health needs, navigate a maze of funding and service streams, and ensure a smooth transition to future educational and therapeutic services.

Another key goal of Early Intervention is to educate parents about their options, their rights, and how best to advocate for their child and family. 

Section 618 of IDEA requires states to provide data annually about their Early Intervention services. States report outcomes data about the children receiving Part C services on their Annual Performance Reports (APRs). In addition, they conduct family surveys and report those findings.

Early Intervention in the United States

All states currently choose to participate in the Part C program, receiving federal funding based on census figures of the number of children in the state from birth through the age of 2. Each state’s governor designates a specific “lead agency” to administer these services. The lead agencies governing Early Intervention services vary by state with examples being the Department of Health, Department of Education/Public Instruction, Department of Human/Social Services, or Department of Developmental Disabilities. You can find Early Intervention Contact Information by state on the CDC’s website.

Each state utilizes their own particular mix of services and funding streams in addition to the federal Early Intervention dollars. This mix typically includes components such as Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT), Medicaid State Plan Services, Medicaid HCBS waivers, IDEA Part B Section 619, Head Start, Federal Child Welfare funds, and more. 

Early Intervention in Canada and Ireland

Canada does not have one federally-funded, mandated Early Intervention system. Each province determines funding, services, and regulations. Provincial programs include Infant Development Programs (IDPs), children’s treatment centres, and early childhood development services. Intake, eligibility, and service array vary across the provinces.

Ireland’s Health Service Executive (HSE) manages Early Intervention services using Children’s Disability Network Teams (CDNTs). Both state funding and private resources support these services. In addition, the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) supports children with disabilities to participate in the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme without needing a formal diagnosis. 

Early Intervention Resources

There are myriad resources available both to states, providers, clinicians, and families. Below are a few to get you started:

• At-A Glance: An Introduction to Part C of the IDEA
  Provides overview information about Part C, covering regulations, responsibilities, reporting requirements, funding topics, and more.
• Center for Parent Information and Resources (CPIR)
  Shares resources, tools, and guidance to support families of children with disabilities involving issues like healthcare, education, transition, etc.
• Parent Training and Information (PTI) Centers
  Helps equip people with disabilities and their families with information and training related to employment and independent living goals.  
• Early Childhood Technical Assistance (ECTA) Center
  Supports state programs in developing effective and successful state and local systems to improve services for children with disabilities and families.
• Division For Early Childhood (DEC)
  Works to improve research, leadership, policy, and practices and has a ‘DEC Recommended Practices’ guide that providers and families will find useful.
• Head Start
  Delivers services to children and families involving early learning, health, and family well-being, actively engaging with parents as partners.
• IDEA Infant and Toddler Coordinators Association
  Develops resources to improve the lives of infants/toddlers with disabilities through information and guidance about the administration of Part C.

We look forward to publishing future editions of Capstone articles about Early Intervention, outlining best practices, considering challenges, and hearing about solutions to those challenges, from Early Intervention providers and families using these services.