Babies & Toddlers Resources (Birth to Age 3)

The Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part C program promotes the development of infants and toddlers with delays or disabilities, enhances the capacity of families to meet the developmental needs of their infants and toddlers, minimizes the need for special education and related services when children enter school, and enhances children’s long-term outcomes.

• The U.S. Department of Education website has IDEA Part C: Early Learning and Early Childhood. The page includes:
  • Statute and regulation text
  • Resource Guides (available in English and Spanish)
  • Webinars
• Wrightslaw provides an overview of the basics of Part C of the IDEA. The page includes:
  • What is early intervention?
  • Natural Environments
  • Part C of IDEA Articles, Caselaw, Publications, Resources, and Organizations
• The PACER Center produced a guide to Understanding the Early Intervention System. The guide includes:
  • What is Early Intervention?
  • What Does Early Intervention Include?
  • Understanding the Early Intervention Services Process

The Early Start (ES) program is California’s early intervention program for infants and toddlers with developmental delays or at risk for having a developmental disability and their families. Early Start services are available statewide and are provided in a coordinated, family-centered system.

• CA Department of Developmental Services: Early Start
  • What is Early Start? is a document answering seven basic questions answered about CA’s early intervention services.
  • Early Start Laws and Regulations includes links to the Government Code and Title 17 Regulations.
  • English: Early Start Services Information Packet (PDF)
  • Español: Paquete de información sobre Early Start (PDF)
  • Early Start Publications and Outreach Materials Resources, también en español. Materials include overviews of:
    • Central Directory of Early Intervention Resources
    • Early Start Referral Guide
    • Family Introduction to Early Start Brochure

• Basics of transition with two links at the bottom about “Transition Practices in Early Childhood.” The first link is a video to help understand transition.
• PACER Center produced Preparing for Transition from Early Intervention to an Individualized Education Program.
• Overview of transition with link to “Transition Booklet” where there are multiple links leading to pages like: “tips to make the transition process successful” and “transition resources.”
• Center for Parent Information and Resources Transition to Preschool resource page answers many question parents may have during a transition.
• Under three subheadings (Early Childhood Transition Requirements, Transition Processes: Tools and Needs Assessments, and Initiative Activities) NECTAC provides a page with multiple links to documents that help in the process of transition.

• PACER Center Early Childhood Family Information and Resources categorized in two groups:
  • National
  • Minnesota (PACER Center is the Minnesota Parent Training and Information Center).
• The IDEA Infant and Toddler Coordinators Association partners

IDEA requires that infants and toddlers who are eligible to receive early intervention services get those services in place where it is natural for a baby or young child who does not have a disability.

“To the maximum extent appropriate to the needs of the child, early intervention services must be provided in natural environments, including the home and community settings in which children without disabilities participate. ” 34 CFR 303.12(b)

While natural environments may differ from family to family, there are common typical places where babies and toddlers should receive services:

• Your home
• A relative’s home
• Daycare with other children who are not disabled
• A local park or playground
• Restaurants
• Stores

IDEA also stresses that the natural environment and early childhood learning should happen during a child’s typical daily routines doing things with people they are with (like family members) using objects that all children use. For example:

• On the way to the park
• Playing on equipment at the playground
• Playing with toys and using art materials
• Eating meals
• Celebrating birthdays and holidays
• Preparing snacks and meals with family
• Being read to or looking at books

The Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ETAC) is a good source for more information about Natural Environments and Part C in general.