FAQ about the Infant Learning Program
Select a question from the list:
- What if I have questions about my child's development?
- What is early intervention/infant learning?
- What services does early intervention include?
- Who is eligible for early intervention in the state of Alaska?
- What will it cost?
- What is an IFSP - Individual Family Service Plan?
- What happens at age three?
- What is IDEA - Individuals with Disabilities Education Act?
- What does Part C under IDEA mean in Alaska?
- What are my rights under IDEA?
- What if I don't agree with a decision about my child's services?
- What are my child care choices?
- What do these words mean? (Glossary)
- How do I contact the state EI/ILP office?
What if I have questions about my child's
development?
If you have a question about your infant or toddler's development
- Talk to your doctor, public health nurse or local clinic
- Directly contact or refer your infant/toddler to a local Early Intervention/Infant Learning Program.
- Click here to link to listing of Alaska Early Intervention/Infant Learning Programs.
With your informed consent a referral can by made by anyone who is familiar with you and your child (i.e., a doctor, relative teacher, nurse, friend or caseworker.)
What is early intervention/infant learning?
Early intervention is a partnership with families who may need services for their infants or toddlers at risk or with developmental delays and/or disabilities. Early Intervention may:
- Help you find services you need for your child
- Help you understand your child's development
Early intervention/infant learning services are designed to help eligible infants and toddlers reach their fullest level of development and enhance the family's capacity to support and promote their infant or toddler's development.
Who is eligible for early intervention in the State of Alaska?
Any child under the age of three years when:
- They show at least a 15% delay in one or more of these
developmental areas:
- Moving (gross motor)
- Using Hands (fine motor)
- Thinking/Learning (cognitive)
- Understanding/Talking (communication/language)
- Getting along with others (social/emotional)
- Doing things for him/her self (adaptive)
- Have a diagnosed condition that may lead to a significant delay or
- Are at risk for a developmental delay.
Any infant or toddler with a diagnosed or suspected development delay needs a screening and or evaluation to determine eligibility to be enrolled in a program.
Screening - is a quick look at how a child s learning and growing.
Evaluation - included developmental tests and evaluation by qualified professionals to determine a child's initial and continuing eligibility. The evaluation will determine the status of the infant or toddler in all of the developmental areas and;
- Will occur only with your written permission
- Identify strengths and concerns
- Determine eligibility for early intervention services
- You always have a choice to receive or refuse these services.
What services does early intervention include?
Services for your child might include:
- Developmental screening and evaluation
- An individualized Family Services Plan (IFSP) to outline goals and services families want for their children
- Information for families to better understand their child's developmental strengths and needs
- Home visits to help the family or caregivers guide their children in learning new skills
- Physical, occupation or speech therapy to help families support their child with daily activities
- Specialized equipment and resources to promote development
- Assistance in getting other specialized services and care families need
Contact your EI/ILP for specific guidelines and definitions of services.
- There is no charge for core services (identification, screening, evaluation and family service coordination.)
- There may be some cost or fees for other services such as direct therapy.
- Most programs bill Medicaid and private insurance.
- Contact your local Early Intervention/Infant Learning Program for more information
What is an Individual Family Service Plan - IFSP?
The IFSP is a written plan created by parents and service providers that:
- Outlines the infant or toddler's strengths and present levels of functioning
- Describes specific goals and outcomes desired by the parent
- Describes specific early intervention services to the child and family
- Usually goes for one year, but can be revised at any time
- Must include the parent(s), family service coordinator and those involved in the evaluation
Parents:
- Determine when the meeting will take place
- Describe specific goals and outcomes important to them
- May invite anyone else they want to attend
At least 6 months before your child turns three, you will be involved in planning a move to the next service provider. In early intervention, this change is called transition. With a parent or guardian's consent, a transition plan meeting will occur at least 90 days before your child turns three. The transition plan will identify special education or other services your child may need.
Click her to access the Step Ahead booklet.
What is IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act)?
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal law governing the education of children, ages 0 - 21 who experience disabilities. Part C of IDEA provides guidelines for states to follow in providing services to families with infants and toddlers who have disabilities. Each state has it's own criteria for Part C eligibility and a statewide system for assuring that needed services are available to eligible children and their families. Part B of the law gives minimum requirements for special education services to children 3 - 21 years of age.
What does Part C under IDEA mean in Alaska?
Funding is provided under Part C of IDEA to expand and enhance early intervention/infant learning services. Eligibility for Part C is determined through an evaluation/assessment by the local Early intervention/Infant Learning Program (EI/ILP). Children, from birth to 36 months, who meet one of the following criteria are eligible:
- Developmental delay of 50% or greater in one or more areas of development
- Disabling condition with a high probability of resulting in a 50% or greater developmental delay
- Child's development appears atypical and a multi-disciplinary team determines that the child is likely to have a severe developmental delay.
Part C funds are distributed to local EI/ILPs to assist families in obtaining services. Part C funds are limited and not intended to replace existing funding sources such as Medicaid, TRICARE or private health insurance plans. Therefore Part C funds may be used only if there is no other source of payment.
What are my rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act?
Your local or regional Early Intervention/Infant Learning Program (EI/ILP) link to statewide listing will give you information that explains your rights.
Each family has the right to:
An Evaluation - Each infant and toddler that is suspected of having a delay or disability is to have an evaluation conducted within 45 days of the referral to help determine if they are eligible and which services will be need.
Understand - Each parent will be given information in their native language if English is not the family's language of understanding. Also, if the family uses sign language or other means of communications, the family has the right to be given information in the manner they can best understand.
Give Permission - Before a family or child participates in the services of the program, the family has the right to approve or disapprove the recommended activity. This approval must be given by the family in writing.
Plan - Within 45 days of an EI/ILP receiving a request for an evaluation, the family is to receive an evaluation and schedule a meeting to develop a plan. This plan is jointly developed with the family and must be reviewed every six months. If the family wants the plan reviewed sooner they may request an earlier review.
Receive Support - When the plan is being developed, families have the right to request whomever they would like to attend the meeting. They can ask other family members, a friend, or an advocate.
Have Services Coordinated - When a family is referred for service, the family has the right to have a service coordinator. The service coordinator helps the family understand how the service system works and how to get the services they needs as quickly as possible.
Privacy - Each family has the right to give their permission before any information is released that identifies the child or the family to other agencies or individuals.
Disagree - If the family does not agree with any recommendation for services or if they think that they are not receiving the service to meet their child's need, they have a legal voice. They may ask for a change or refuse services without losing other services for their child.
Request Mediation - The parent or legal guardian may ask for a mediator to assist in resolving the conflict between the parent and the EI/ILP regarding services for their child. In order for mediation to occur both the parents and the EI/ILP must agree to mediation. Mediation is at no expense to either party.
File a Complaint - Each family has the right to file a written complaint and ask for impartial person to hear the complaint and get a decision in a timely manner.
Examine their Child's Records - Each family may ask to examine their child's early intervention records whenever they need to. The family may also ask for a copy of the record at any time.
Receive Written Notice of Changes in Service - Each time a service is being planned, changed or refused by the agency to the family, then the family must receive written notice before the change occurs.
Written Plan of Transition to the School at Age Three - When a toddler turns 30 months of age, a written plan is developed with the parent for transitioning services from the Early Intervention/Infant Learning Program to an appropriate pre-school program (Head Start, school etc.)
A Child has a Right to Representation - A child has a right to a surrogate parent to represent them in service matters when a parent is not identified, can not be located, or the child is a ward of the state.
What if I don't agree with a decision about my child's services?
Complaints, Mediation and Due Process:
Parents have rights and protections under Part C of IDEA to assure that early intervention services are provided to their children in a manner appropriate to their needs.
Parents are encouraged to seek assistance and resolve differences beginning with your child's family service coordinator, local program director or the Alaska Department of Health & Social Services, Office of Children's Services. Click here for state contacts.
When differences cannot be resolved, voluntary impartial mediation and/or due process hearings are available.
Mediation is a form of dispute resolution in which an impartial mediator assists disputing parties in a collaborative problem solving process. Mediators help parents and services providers resolve conflicts, clarify issues and develop mutually acceptable agreements.
Publicly funded organization listed here my be able to assist you:
- Alaska
Department of Health & Social Services, Office
of Children's Services
Anchorage: (907) 269-3400
Toll Free (800) 799-7570 (ask for the EI/IL Program Manager)
Or send an e-mail now - Your local Early Intervention/Infant Learning Program link
- Alaska Special Education Mediation Services
Toll Free: (800) 580-2209 - PARENTS Inc.
- National Information
Center for children and Youth with Disabilities
Toll Free: (800) 695-0285 - Disability
Law Center of Alaska
Anchorage: (907) 565-1002
Juneau: (907) 586-1627
Fairbanks: (907) 456-1070
Bethel: (907) 543-3357
Toll Free: (800) 478-1234 - Governor's
Council on Disabilities and Special Education
Anchorage: (907) 269-8990
Child Care Resource and Referral Contact List
***These sites also have training and resources
Anchorage:
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907-265-3100 |
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Juneau:
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National Association for
the Education of Young Children - Southeast Alaska (NAEYC
- SEA) PO Box 22870 Juneau, Alaska 99802-2870 |
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907-789-1235 Outside Juneau 888-785-1235 |
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jlyon@naeycsea.org | |
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http://www.naeycsea.org | |
Fairbanks
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Fairbanks North Star Borough PO Box 71267 Fairbanks, Alaska 99707 |
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907-459-1394 | |
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cca@co.fairbnaks.ak.us | |
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Play 'N Learn 1908 Old Pioneer Way Fairbanks, Alaska 997073 |
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907-479-2214 Outside Fairbanks 866-878-2273 |
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cares@gci.net | |
What do these words mean? (Glossary)
Assessment: an ongoing, family directed process to identify your child's unique needs and strengths so your child will get the kind of support and services needed.
Assistive Technology Devices: any item, piece of equipment or product system used to increase, maintain or improve your child's ability to do things like eat, communicate or move.
Assistive Technology Services: a service that directly assists a child with a disability to select, get or use an assistive technology device.
Child Find: includes early identification, screening, referral, and initial service coordination.
Early Intervention: collection of services provided by public and private agencies and designed by law to support eligible children with delays and or disabilities and their families in enhancing a child's potential for growth and development from birth to age three through services provided in natural settings.
Evaluation: procedures used by qualified professionals to determine a child's initial and continuing eligibility which focus on determining the status of the infant or toddler in all of the developmental areas; cognitive, social/emotional, physical, communication and adaptive.
Family Centered: the principle that promotes parents as the decision-makers and builds parent/professional partnerships.
Family Priorities: those areas, which the family identifies as essential to their child's development, as well as to the family unit.
Family Resources: the family's strengths and abilities, as well as the formal and informal supports that assist them in achieving desired outcomes.
Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP): the written plan for providing early intervention and other services to eligible children and families that: 1.) is developed jointly by the family and appropriate professionals, 2.) is based on a multidisciplinary evaluation and assessment of the child and family, 3.) has a family directed statement of resources, priorities and concerns if the family wishes, and 4.) includes services necessary to enhance the development of the child and the capacity of the family to meet his or her developmental needs.
Informed Consent: permission granted by parent for the child to receive services. For early intervention activities, parent realized that involvement is voluntary, understands all information relevant to the procedures and their role in the early intervention system after it has been fully explained.
Mediation: is an informal process in which a trained impartial person helps parties in conflict resolve their differences and find a solution satisfactory to both sides.
Multi-disciplinary: the involvement of two or more disciplines or professions in the provision of integrated and coordinated services including evaluation assessment activities and the development of the IFSP.
Natural Environments: settings that are natural or normal for the child's same age peers who have no disability. These may include the home and community settings.
Outcomes: statements of change that you want to see in your child or family as a result of early intervention services.
Parent: a parent by birth or adoption, a legal guardian, a person acting as a parent of a child (e.g., stepparent or relative with whom the child lives and who is responsible for the child's welfare) or surrogate parent.
Surrogate Parent: an individual appointed by the local or state agency to act in place of a parent or legal guardian in safeguarding a child's rights in the decision making process when the child is a ward of the State or no parent can be found.
Screening: quick check or survey about your child's development to see if further evaluation is needed.
Transition Plan: a written plan developed for you
child with a timeline and steps to be taken to help make the
change from early intervention services at age three to an
new placement of services.
How do I contact the state EI/ILP office?
Click here for contact information
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