Early Intervention, Idea Part C Services, and the Medical Home: Collaboration for Best Practice and Best Outcomes

Services offered through Part C of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Improvement Act improve cognitive, behavioral, and physical skills for children less than 3 years old at risk for or with a disability. However, there are low enrollment rates into services. Various Lead Agencies oversee services through Part C, and states determine which agency is in charge of administering these services. The objective of this study was to describe odds of enrollment into early intervention services based on the department administering services (Lead Agency). Each state’s Lead Agency (Education, Health, or Other), state population size, narrowness of eligibility criteria, and state-level screening rates were fit into a negative binomial regression model to predict odds of enrollment into Part C services. Results show that state’s reporting from “Health” and “Other” as a Lead Agency had significantly higher odds for Part C services compared with the state Lead Agency of Education (Health adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.56, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.557, 1.561]; Other AOR = 2.40, 95% CI = [2.401, 2.405]). Further research should describe unique components of a Lead Agency’s administrative practices that contribute to the variation in enrollment. This study was an important step toward the investigation of low enrollment rates into Part C services.

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Treatment for Challenging Behaviors: Are IDEA Part C Interventionists Using Functional Interventions?

Journal of Early Intervention ◽

10.1177/1053815119873092 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 42 (1) ◽

pp. 31-48

Author(s):

Sarah Dickinson ◽

Emily Shaffer-Hudkins ◽

Linda M. Raffaele Mendez

Keyword(s):

Early Intervention ◽

Challenging Behaviors ◽

Intervention Programs ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Behavioral Issues ◽

Early Intervention Services ◽

Part C ◽

Disabilities Education Act ◽

Idea Part C ◽

Education Act

Little is known about the specific practices of early interventionists, despite many young children receiving early intervention services through Part C of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act. The aim of this study was to examine knowledge and use of functionally appropriate evidence-based interventions for challenging behaviors among Part C interventionists. Data collection involved semi-structured interviews with a sample of 10 interventionists who served infants and toddlers with challenging behaviors in one region in the state of Florida. These interviews included questions about the interventionists’ own cases as well as vignettes representing common early childhood behavioral issues. Thematic analysis of responses resulted in six themes and one subtheme reflecting insufficient training and confusion regarding best practices in functional assessment and intervention for challenging behaviors. Although interventionists were using a variety of functional interventions, most were not implementing these interventions systematically. Implications for early intervention programs are discussed.

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Valued Outcomes of Service Coordination, Early Intervention, and Natural Environments

Council review ◽

10.1177/001440290206800305 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 68 (3) ◽

pp. 361-375 ◽

Cited By ~ 82

Author(s):

Carl J. Dunst ◽

Mary Beth Bruder

Keyword(s):

Early Intervention ◽

Intervention Program ◽

Family Satisfaction ◽

Family Quality Of Life ◽

Natural Environments ◽

Service Coordination ◽

Early Intervention Program ◽

Part C ◽

Idea Part C ◽

Part C Early Intervention

A national survey of Part C early intervention program providers (practitioners and program directors) and participants (parents of young children with disabilities) was used to discern the desired outcomes of service coordination, early intervention, and natural environment practices. Survey participants judged from among 69 outcome indicators those that they considered to be the most valued benefits of each IDEA Part C service. Results indicated that certain categories of outcomes were more likely to be judged as the desired benefits of a specific Part C service, and that only two outcome categories (family satisfaction and improved family quality of life) were considered to be valued outcomes for all three services. Implications for practice and research are described.

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Relationship Between State-Level Developmental Screening and IDEA Part C Early Intervention Rates

Journal of Early Intervention ◽

10.1177/10538151211028232 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 105381512110282

Author(s):

Dorian E. Traube ◽

Mary Rose Mamey

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Provider ◽

Care Provider ◽

Significant Relationship ◽

State Level ◽

Developmental Screening ◽

Part C ◽

Part C Services ◽

Idea Part C ◽

Part C Early Intervention

The purpose of this study was to explore whether a relationship exists between the rates of state-level developmental screening by a health care provider and state-level provision of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Part C (IDEA Part C) early intervention services. This is an important first step in determining whether states have the capacity to deal with a potential influx of newly identified children. This analysis compared screening rates from the 2016 National Survey of Children’s Health with service rates from the Department of Education’s 2016 IDEA Part C data. There was no significant relationship between rates of screening by a health care provider and receipt of IDEA Part C services ( r = .13, p = .366). Those who identified as White were screened and provided with IDEA services at a higher percentage than non-White ( r = .80, p < .001). There was a significant relationship between region and receipt of IDEA Part C services, F(3) = 8.14, p < .001, with the Northeast region ( M = 4.95, SD = 1.85) having higher percent served via IDEA Part C services. Results indicate no relationship between state levels of screening by a health care provider and receipt of IDEA Part C services. Efforts to increase developmental screening may require strategies to ensure adequate service access.

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State and Territory EHDI Databases: What We Do and Don't Know About the Hearing or Audiological Data From Identified Children

American Journal of Audiology ◽

10.1044/1059-0889(2013/13-0015) ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 23 (1) ◽

pp. 34-43 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Kristin Uhler ◽

Vickie Thomson ◽

Nicole Cyr ◽

Sandra Abbott Gabbard ◽

Christine Yoshinaga-Itano

Keyword(s):

Hearing Loss ◽

Best Practices ◽

Best Practice ◽

Medical Information ◽

Quality Care ◽

Diagnostic Assessment ◽

Electronic Survey ◽

Part C ◽

Best Practice Guidelines ◽

Part C Services

Purpose The purpose of this study was to define the information currently collected by state and territory Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) coordinators and to determine whether best practice guidelines are used. Method A multiple-choice electronic survey querying areas of diagnostic assessment, amplification, early intervention (EI) and medical information regarding hearing loss was sent to all state and territory EHDI coordinators. Results Seventy percent of surveys were completed. Diagnostic, amplification, and Part C services were tracked by the majority of respondents. Additionally, medical prenatal and postnatal risks were collected. Conclusion Data collected on audiologic screening and diagnostic evaluations has increased. On the basis of these results, it is difficult to discern whether best practices are being used for each child. A delay in reporting a confirmed hearing loss was observed. Amplification results suggest that systems are not in place to ensure consistency and accountability for fitting amplification in infants. The results of this survey identified audiologic and EI information tracked by states to help provide a framework to monitor quality care in the future.

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