Early intervention services and supports are provided to families and infants and toddlers with disabilities and at-risk children to maximize the child’s developmental potential. Service planning and delivery are founded on a partnership between families and early intervention personnel which is focused on meeting the unique needs of the child, addressing the concerns and priorities of each family and building on family and community resources.
The Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities (Part C of IDEA) is a federal grant program that assists states in operating a comprehensive statewide system of early intervention services for infants and toddlers ages birth–2 with—or at state discretion, at-risk for—disabilities. It provides supports and resources to assist family members and caregivers to enhance children's learning and development through everyday learning opportunities. ECTA Center: Part C of IDEA
The goal of early intervention is to enable young children to be active and successful participants during the early childhood years and in the future in a variety of settings, in their homes, with their families, in child care, preschool or school programs and in the community.
Under the IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), early intervention and preschool special education programs develop individualized plans that clearly lay out the services a child and family will receive and the results the team hopes to achieve.
An Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) for infants and toddlers ages birth–2, and an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for children ages 3–5, are both processes and documents that facilitate family members and professionals working together to improve results for children with disabilities and their families. The services identified and provided through an IFSP or IEP should include practices that research has shown to be most effective for improving the learning outcomes and promoting the development of young children ages birth–5, who have developmental delays or disabilities.
EARLY INTERVENTION REFERRAL PROCESS (ages 3-5)
Preschool Early Intervention services are provided by Montgomery County Intermediate Unit (MCIU). Parents and teachers can obtain copies of referral forms by calling this number: 484-685-1856 https://mciu.org/office-of-early-childhood-services/early-intervention/
TRANSITION FROM EARLY INTERVENTION TO POTTSTOWN SCHOOL DISTRICT Children with Early Intervention services who are ready for Kindergarten will be part of a transition process with MCIU. The following steps are a part of this process:
Sign the intent to register form with MCIU. This allows MCIU to provide Pottstown School District with your child’s special education paperwork. Without this signed form, Pottstown School District will not be able to view the services your child receives.
MCIU schedules a meeting with Pottstown School District, MCIU and parents to review the transition process to Kindergarten. At this time, the process is reviewed and questions are answered.
Parents register their child for Kindergarten on Pottstown School District’s website (registration usually opens in March). Once the student is registered, school district staff can begin the evaluation process to determine if the student is eligible for school-age special education services. This evaluation occurs with parent permission.
If the student is eligible for special education services as a Kindergarten student, an IEP is written with the student’s parent-school team.