This report describes the work done by the 48 State Deaf-Blind Projects awarded grants by the Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) in late 2013. The report documents the technical assistance and dissemination activities carried out by the Projects and their collaborative activities, describes the needs for…

In 2007, the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) law was passed in Minnesota mandating newborn hearing screening. Recognizing that a number of state-level agencies and statewide advocacy and direct services organizations share responsibility for serving deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing children and youth, the Minnesota Commission…

Because newborn hearing screening has become the standard of care in the United States, every state has established an early hearing detection and intervention (EHDI) program responsible for establishing, maintaining, and improving the system of services needed to serve children with hearing loss and their families. While significant developments…

This report summarizes a study of the impact of Indiana's Early Literacy Intervention Grant Program (ELIGP) on schools in the third year of funding, 1999-2000. This impact study replicates the study completed in the first 2 years of ELIGP funding (1997-98, 1998-99) and includes the following: an analysis of the impact of ELIGP, focusing on changes…

The results of a survey of physicians actively involved at the state level in policy development for Part H of Public Law 99-457 are reported. A questionnaire was completed by a total of 125 physicians, including physicians identified as Interagency Coordinating Council (ICC) members and physicians who served as state chapter representatives to…

The goal of Minnesota's Early Childhood Screening (ECS) program is to identify normal aspects of a child's health and development while sorting out potential problems that need further evaluation. In addition, all parents are linked to resources in the school and community to enhance their child's development and their own parenting skills. This…

A series of self-study questions is presented to examine policy and practice issues important in developing culturally competent programs for children with special needs and their families. Cultural competence refers to a program's ability to honor and respect the beliefs, interpersonal styles, attitudes, and behaviors both of families who are…

The report describes tracking systems which address the need for early, reliable, and consistent identification and follow-up for children at risk for developmental disability. The systems, developed by 15 states that participated in the "Project Zero to Three" network, demonstrate how states may approach the linkages among prevention,…

This study assesses progress made by the states, as of 1990, in the implementation of the 14 components of Part H of Public Law 99-457, the Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments, 1986. Fifty out of 51 jurisdictions completed the State Progress Scale, which contains items for each of the 14 components and determines the stages of policy…

Since its inception in 1985, the effectiveness and quality of the Michigan School Readiness Program (MSRP), the state's early childhood education program for 4-year-olds at risk of school failure, have never been evaluated. This report details the first evaluation findings for 1995-97. The program is comprised of a child development program for…

This study addresses seven components of Public Law 99-457 which relate to mental health intervention to meet the comprehensive early needs of infants and toddlers with, or at risk for, disabilities. The seven components include: the definition of "developmentally delayed"; multidisciplinary evaluation; the individualized family service…

Part H of Public Law 99-457, the Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments, 1986, requires states to develop a system for preparation of personnel to work with infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families, and to establish personnel standards for early intervention services. A study of 10 professional associations was conducted to…

This paper synthesizes current thinking, issues, and practices related to the use of paraprofessionals in the provision of early intervention and preschool services to children with disabilities, birth through 5 years of age, and their families. Information was gathered from 31 state and jurisdiction coordinators of preschool services under Part B…

This document presents general information about State Interagency Coordinating Councils (SICCs) which participate in the Early Intervention Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities (formerly Part H Program, now Part C) under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The information was gathered from questionnaires returned…

This final report discusses the outcomes of a project that developed, demonstrated, evaluated, and disseminated information about a specialized inservice training model to prepare early interventionists, special education teachers, and related service personnel to provide family-centered programming to infants, toddlers, and preschoolers who are…