What is Part C?

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal law that makes free public education available, and it’s tailored to the individual needs of all eligible children with disabilities. Federal grants allow these free services for all children who qualify. The provisions of IDEA are sectioned into four parts:

• Part A – General Provisions
• Part B – Assistance for Education of All Children with Disabilities
• Part C – Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities
• Part D – National Activities to Improve Education of Children with Disabilities

Part C focuses on early intervention services for babies and toddlers. Depending on a child’s needs, early intervention services might include:

• Family training
• Counseling
• Home visits
• Occupational, physical, or speech therapy
• Hearing loss services
• Health and nutrition services
• Social work
• Assistive technology devices and services
• Transportation

Developmental screenings are encouraged for all children under the age of five in Wyoming. Children may then be referred for a comprehensive assessment of the needs of both the child and the child’s family. An Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) is then developed by a team of the child’s parents and providers who work with the family. The IFSP includes the child’s level of development, the family’s needs, and specific services that will be provided.

Early intervention services are designed to identify and meet a child’s needs in different developmental areas: physical development, cognitive development, communication, social or emotional development, and adaptive development.

Learn more about the five Stages of Development here.