After years of research documenting the effectiveness of early intervention, PL 99-457 ("The Preschool Law") expanded services or infants and young children who have disabilities or are at risk and their families. Two portions of the law, Part B and Part H, outline services for young children birth through five years of age. The following topics will provide you with information concerning this law.
Major Features of PL 99-457
- Establishes state-level interagency councils on early intervention.
- Institutes individualized family service plans (IFSPs)
- Provides case management services to families
- Maintains a public awareness program that includes a comprehensive child find system and a central early intervention resource directory.
- Requires the development of a multidisciplinary, coordinated interagency model of service delivery.
- Establishes procedural safeguards.
- Acknowledges the family to be the central focus of service.
- Provides for smooth transitions as a family moves from one service or system to another.
- Facilitates development of a comprehensive system of personnel development.
Part B: Children 3 Through 5 Years of Age
Part B required all states to extend all the provisions of P. L. 94-142: The Education of All Handicapped Act to young children with disabilities. They were now entitled to all six of the major mandates that covered older students. States that did not comply were to lose federal monies they had been receiving for other preschool services.
Part H: Children Birth to 3 Years of Age
Part H encouraged states to design and implement a comprehensive system of intervention for infants and toddlers with developmental delay or disabilities. Each state was to define eligibility criteria for "developmental delay" therefore services could differ from state to state. Each state was to also appoint a lead agency and establish an interagency coordinating council to oversee program services. Currently all states have programs in place for infants and toddlers with disabilities.
Differences Between Part B and Part H
|
| Part B
| Part H
|
|---|
| Ages Served | Preschool Children Ages three through five years | Infants and Toddlers ages birth to three years and their families |
| Agency Responsible | Local Education Agency (public school) | State Appointed Lead Agency |
| Recognized Conditions | Diagnosed/Established conditions including categories recognized in PL 94-142 and Developmental Delay | Diagnosed/Established conditions including Developmental Delay |
| Program | Interdisciplinary | Interdisciplinary, Interagency Coordination |
| Intervention Areas | Cognitive, physical, speech and language, social, adaptive (self-help) skills plus preacademic skills | Cognitive, physical, speech and language, social, adaptive (self-help) |
| Intervention Services | Child-centered - the child is the focus of intervention services | Family-centered - the family is the focus of intervention services |
| Plans | Individualized Education Program (IEP) as discussed in PL 94-142 | Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) |
| Inclusion | Least Restrictive Environment based on the needs of the child as discussed in PL 94-142 | Natural Environments - including the young child in community programs and services as same-aged typically developing peers |
| Transition | Preschool to Elementary School | Hospital to Home, Home to Early Intervention Programs, Early Hospital to Home, Home to Early Intervention Programs, Early Intervention Programs to Preschool |
| Parental Rights | Knowledge of due process rights under the law as discussed in PL 94-142 | Voluntary Participation and family concerns are noted on the IFSP |
