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
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 50% 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.
What will it cost?
- 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
What happens at age three?
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)?
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:
Child Care Options in Alaska
Child Care Resource and Referral Contact List
***These sites also have training and resources
Anchorage
thread
3500 Commercial Drive, Suite 203
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
Tel: 907-265-3100
Outside Anchorage: 800-278-3723
Web: http:www.threadalaska.org
Juneau
National Association for
the Education of Young Children - Southeast Alaska (NAEYC - SEA)
PO Box 22870
Juneau, Alaska 99802-2870
Tel: 907-789-1235
Outside Juneau: 888-785-1235
Email: jlyon@naeycsea.org
Web: http://www.alaskaaeyc.org/
Fairbanks
Fairbanks North Star Borough
PO Box 71267
Fairbanks, Alaska 99707
Tel: 907-459-1439
Email: cca@co.fairbanks.ak.us
