More About IDEA...

The 1997 revisions to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (I.D.E.A.) strengthened early childhood services.  There are three major provisions:

Part C -- Infants and Toddlers Program

Included in this act is Part H/C (Federal Entitlement Program): a statewide, community-based, comprehensive, coordinated, family-focused, multidisciplinary, inter-agency program of early intervention services for infants and toddlers with established conditions or developmental delays and their families.

The Part H/C program serves infants and toddlers from birth to 36 months who have an established medical condition that places them at high risk for developmental disabilities or who have a developmental delay.

Part B -- Education for Children with Disabilities Ages 3 through 21

Part B applies to children with disabilities ages 3 through 21 who have not graduated from high school.  This part of the law entitles eligible children to receive special education and related services.  A child is eligible when the requirements listed in the State Board of Education Rules for Exceptional Student Education have been met.

The special education program provides teaching, special materials, and other needed education services.  The program must be appropriate, free of charge and set up to meet the needs of the child as agreed upon by the parents and the school.  Decisions about the child must be made after an individual evaluation.  The program for the child must be described in writing in an Individualized Education Plan (IEP).  For students ages three through five years, a Family Support Plan (FSP) or an IEP may be written.  Decisions about the child must be made with the parents.  The program is administered through the Florida Department of Education.  The local school board or district office can provide the name and phone number of the Administrator, Exceptional Student Education.

NOTE:  It is optional for local school boards to service children birth to 36 months who meet the eligibility criteria for Part C.

Section 619 -- Preschool Grants Program

The Preschool Grants Program, authorizes grants to all states for services for children with disabilities ages three through five and for continuity of special education services for children moving out of Part C.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act

Prohibits discrimination against children and adults on the basis of a disability by any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. Section 504 applies to public or private preschools, child care centers, Head Start/Early Head Start, or family child care homes that receive federal funds either directly or through a grant, loan, or contract. [More about 504]

(Taken from -- 'Understanding Inclusion and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)' a publication written and produced by Florida Children's Forum)