Home & Community-Based Early Intervention Program
What is Early Intervention?
The Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities Program (Part C) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was created in 1986 to enhance the development of infants and toddlers with disabilities, minimize potential developmental delay, and reduce educational costs to our society by minimizing the need for special education services as children with disabilities reach school age. Part C provides early intervention (EI) services to infants and toddlers aged birth to three with developmental delays or a medical condition likely to lead to a developmental delay.
Why Intervene Early?
- Decades of rigorous research show that children鈥檚 earliest experiences play a critical role in聽brain development. The Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University has summarized this research:
- Neural circuits, which create the foundation for learning, behavior and health, are most flexible or 鈥減lastic鈥� during the聽first three years聽of life. Over time, they become increasingly difficult to change.
- 笔别谤蝉颈蝉迟别苍迟听鈥渢oxic鈥� stress, such as extreme poverty, abuse and neglect, or severe maternal depression can damage the developing brain, leading to lifelong problems in learning, behavior, and physical and mental health.
- The brain is strengthened by聽positive early experiences, especially聽stable relationships聽with caring and responsive adults, safe and supportive environments, and appropriate nutrition.
- Early social/ emotional development and physical health provide the foundation upon which聽cognitive and language skills
- High quality early intervention services can聽change a child鈥檚 developmental trajectory