What does the Infant Toddler Program do?

Federal and State laws outline what the Infant Toddler Program must provide. These are called Program Components. They include:

Finding children that might benefit from the program;

Providing evaluation and services to children and their families;

Educating the community about the importance of early intervention; and

Keeping track of the numbers and types of services provided and how they benefit the families that receive them.

The Infant Toddler Program is like an umbrella over different agencies and services. Program funds are intended to be "glue money." They can be used to ensure that all existing programs are working together effectively, and to fill in gaps where needed services don’t exist.

Program Components include:

Public Awareness and Community Education Campaigns;

Child Find — identification of children who would benefit from services;

Evaluation and Assessment — activities to determine a child's current developmental status;

Individualized Family Service Planning — a plan that addresses the child's and family’s unique needs;

Early Intervention Services — therapeutic and support services provided in a "natural setting" such as the home or a childcare center;

Service Coordination — activities which ensure needed services are available, accessible, and cost-effective;

Procedural Safeguards — parent’s rights which guarantee timeliness and confidentiality;

Transition Planning — procedures to help families access appropriate services when a child leaves the Infant Toddler Program;

Personnel Training and Standards — assurance that providers are qualified and receive appropriate and adequate training;

Program Self-Assessment — quality assurance and monitoring activities; and

Data Collection and Evaluation — development and maintenance of a database that tracks the number of children served, services delivered, and other demographic information required for planning and reporting purposes.