Topic Briefs to Improve Coordination and Collaboration At All Levels of Government to Support Infants and Toddlers With Disabilities
When the U.S. Department of Education’s Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part C program and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program work together, they can strengthen their support for infants and toddlers with disabilities. at the federal, state, and local levels focuses on providing a high-quality, coordinated, and comprehensive system of services and supports for children birth through 3 with disabilities and their families.
A new series of briefs provides strategies aimed at improving developmental outcomes for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families. The briefs include real-world examples of how the IDEA Part C and MIECHV programs can work together to improve referrals between programs, mental health services for children and caregivers, and professional development for program staff.
The briefs were developed by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs, which administers IDEA, and the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Maternal and Child Health Bureau, which oversees MIECHV.
Overview of the Three Briefs
The three briefs underscore the importance of coordinated efforts. Strategies aim to create a more integrated, effective care system by enhancing referral mechanism, fostering cross-agency collaboration, and empowering early childhood personnel through joint professional development. Access each brief, along with an executive summary, here.
- Enhancing Referral Mechanisms for Infants and Toddlers With Disabilities and Their Families: This brief highlights the importance of strengthening collaboration and improving referral mechanisms between MIECHV and IDEA Part C programs. It outlines key strategies for enhancing the referral pathway, facilitating timely access to services, and promoting the holistic development of infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families. The strategies may support local providers in making timely referrals to programs and services focusing on improving developmental outcomes for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families.
- Opportunities for Collaboration to Improve Services for Infants and Toddlers With Disabilities and Their Families: This brief highlights the importance of strengthening cross-agency collaboration between MIECHV and IDEA Part C in the areas of social or emotional development and mental health and outlines key opportunities for collaboration. Cross-agency collaboration strategies for programs and providers can facilitate a holistic understanding of the services families receive to support mental health and social emotional development and reduce instances where families receive duplicate referrals or services from both programs.
- Empowering Early Childhood Personnel Through Capacity Building: Joint professional development between MIECHV and IDEA Part C can support shared expertise and resources across programs and staff, leading to more comprehensive support for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families. This brief provides strategies for joint professional development between MIECHV and Part C program providers. Cross-agency professional development initiatives at the local level may strengthen the early childhood system and promote holistic support for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families across the continuum of care.
