Formulating Optimal State Early Childhood Intervention Policies

This article presents the results of a survey of early childhood intervention policies in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, regarding handicapping conditions served, overseeing agencies, intervention services, funding sources, interagency contracts, state regulations, training and certification, and supply and demand of professionals. The study as a whole shows extensive variation among the states with respect to policy; funding, lead agency administration, and interagency cooperation were less than optimal. Moreover, the survey documented a dramatic national shortage of trained early childhood personnel. Implications are discussed in terms of the provisions of P.L. 99–457, the Education of the Handicapped Amendments of 1986.