A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

To Assure the Free Appropriate Public Education of all Children with Disabilities - 1995

Summary and Implications

FY 1993 was a milestone year for the Part H program.It marks the first year that all States and jurisdictions assured full implementation of the Part H program.Also, the appropriations for FY 1993 rose to $213,280,000, 23 percent more than the $172,800,000 appropriated in FY 1992.

States reported that, on December 1, 1993, they were serving approximately 154,065 infants and toddlers or 1.3 percent of the total birth through age 2 population. Most States and jurisdictions served less than 2 percent of their birth through age 2 population. These data represent the number of infants and toddlers served on a given day and therefore may differ from the cumulative total.

According to current data, the home remains the most frequent service site, with 36 percent of services provided there. The early intervention classroom is the next most frequent service site (26 percent), followed closely by outpatient service facilities (23 percent).

States continue to grapple with significant issues as they implement their Part H systems. It is difficult for States to predict funding needs because data collection systems continue to undergo changes and States must coordinate multiple funding sources. In addition, multiple funding sources result in multiple eligibility definitions. Establishment of productive interagency agreements and other collaborative efforts continue to progress slowly. These persistent issues affect the delivery of services to infants and toddlers with disabilities.

OSEP has been working with the Part H Personnel Task Force to improve the Part H personnel data collection forms. As the result of meetings held in February and June of 1994, a new reporting format was drafted. OSEP conducted a field test of the form in early 1995 to determine the feasibility of using the form and the quality of the data generated.

The number of children with disabilities age 3 through 5 receiving services continues to grow. The number served increased to 493,425 in 1993-94, 8. 3 percent more than in 1992-93. It is likely that much of this increase is related to early identification of children through the Part H program. However, the $339 million FY 1994 appropriation was only 4 percent more than the FY 1993 appropriation. The percentage of the total preschool population served varied across States and jurisdictions, from a low of 1. 3 percent in the District of Columbia to a high of 8. 16 percent in Kentucky.

The 1994 NEC*TAS Preschool Grants Program profile survey highlighted several trends. States and jurisdictions reported using 18 different funding sources in addition to Section 611 and Preschool Grants Program funds to finance preschool special education services. To increase coordination between Part B, Chapter 1 (SOP), and the Part H program, 23 States or jurisdictions are using or considering using IFSPs for preschoolers. Also, in 15 States or jurisdictions the Part H ICC works to improve service delivery coordination. Many SEA representatives are increasing their involvement with outside agencies through interagency agreements, joint training, and planning and coordination activities. Finally, many States and jurisdictions are developing transition plans for movement from the Part H program to the Preschool Grants Program and from the Preschool Grants Program to kindergarten/first grade programs.

Reference

Heekin, S. , and Tollerton, D. (1994).
Section 619 Profile. National Early Childhood Technical Assistance System:Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

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