Part C governs the federal “early intervention” program for infants and toddlers, from birth until they turn three years old. The purpose of Part C is:
- to enhance the development of infants and toddlers with disabilities, to minimize their potential for developmental delay and to recognize the significant brain development that occurs during a child’s first three years of life;
- to reduce educational costs by minimizing the need for special education and related services after infants and toddlers with disabilities reach school age;
- to maximize their potential for independent living;
- to enhance the ability of families to meet their infants and toddlers’ special needs; and
- to enhance the capacity of public agencies and service providers to identify, evaluate, and meet the needs of “historically underrepresented populations” (especially minority, low-income, inner-city and rural and infants and toddlers in foster care).[1]
In order to accomplish this purpose, the federal government provides financial assistance to the states: “to develop and implement a statewide, comprehensive, coordinated, multidisciplinary, interagency system that provides early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families.”[2]