Since the 2004 reauthorization of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), there has been a growing focus on improving the quality of programs for children with disabilities and measuring the results/outcomes of those programs. Across the country, IDEA Part C Programs for Infants and Toddlers and IDEA Part B, Section 619 Preschool…

Based on a survey of states, this document summarizes state-level approaches to using surrogate parents in order to meet the needs of children with disabilities. Most respondents noted that their states had issued policy or formal guidance pertaining to surrogate parents and children with disabilities, and most also described efforts to ensure…

A survey of 23 state conducted family support programs revealed that great variability exists on eligibility criteria, methods of program administration, amount of support, and types of services provided. Program evaluation data indicate that cost-benefits, decreased rates of out-of-home placement, and effects on family enhancement are primary…

The status of early intervention programs for handicapped young children in New Jersey is examined through analysis of results from a parent questionnaire, program administrator survey, functional assessment forms on children, group interviews with staff and parents, and phone interviews with program administrators. Among results reported are that…

Perceptions of the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) process for children with disabilities were assessed in a statewide (North Carolina) survey of approximately 600 child service coordinators. Divergent viewpoints about the usefulness and process of developing the IFSP emerged, depending on the program with which the child service…

Second year activities of a 2-year North Carolina State Implementation Grant entailed a review of services for 3- and 4-year-old handicapped children, recommendations based on the findings, a review of teacher preparation programs, and associated staff activities. Review forms were distributed to 251 programs serving young handicapped children…

The paper reviews initiatives the South Carolina Department of Education has undertaken in the area of school psychology, particularly as it pertains to evaluating and placing handicapped children. Two brief introductory sections cover the role, function, and certification of school psychologists and national approaches toward the delineation of…

The report examines barriers to provision of free appropriate public education to handicapped children in West Virginia based on a needs assessment of eight regions. Eight regional meetings (which included representatives of school administration, teachers, parents, and institutions of higher education) used such techniques as…

This report describes the range of methods used by state education agencies to report special education information to the public and the challenges related to this reporting. It begins by reviewing the reporting requirements under the No Child Left Behind Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and then reports the results of a…

Examines nationally collected data on the placement rates of students with disabilities across the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Results indicate that some states have made significant progress toward serving students with disabilities in less restrictive settings, whereas others have made very little progress. (CR)

This paper reports on several projects conducted in Georgia over the past 2 years that move the development of respite care services toward the goal of becoming a "cooperative, collaborative, and coordinated" effort. An overview of respite care in Georgia is provided as well as a summary of strategies used to provide such care. Emerging…

The Technology Access for Arkansans project and the Planning Division of the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department cooperated in a survey to determine the transportation needs of disabled persons in the state. Analysis of the 2,201 consumer survey forms returned (approximately 20% of those sent) is provided for the following areas:…

The present investigation studied early intervention service provision for young children. A total of 377 early intervention programs in Ohio provided data on the number of young handicapped and "at risk" children served, the types of services provided for children and their parents, and financial support. Although a large number of…

Fifty-one surveys designed to gather qualitative information on preschool programs in North Dakota were completed and returned by preschool teachers. Questionnaires focused on five major topics: population served, staff, parent involvement, program curriculum, and teacher and program needs. Results indicate that many teachers served fewer than 10…

A survey of 62 Minnesota directors of special education examined 20 issues of school choice pertinent to school districts. Issues listed as important by the most respondents were excess program costs, the effects of enrollment options on the planning process, and the billing of resident districts for special education services. (JDD)