This guide to early intervention services under Part H of Public Law 101-476 (the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) is intended to aid state legislators who have the primary responsibility to create and shape programs under this Act. Three aspects of Part H legislation are stressed: (1) requirement of unprecedented coordination among health, social service, and education agencies; (2) focus on services to the child in the context of the family; and (3) the expectation that states will assemble a variety of funding sources to cover direct services. The first chapter provides an overview of the law including: eligibility, system components, program administration, identifying eligible children, case management, children and family rights, and program financing. The costs and benefits of early intervention for children, families, and society are considered in Chapter 2. Chapter 3 identifies policy considerations for lawmakers, Chapter 4, on financing early intervention services, identifies seven federal funding sources and discusses private health insurance. Four recommendations are offered: build a consensus among legislators and stakeholders; develop a plan to finance Part H services; ensure that programs are effective; and lobby the federal government for an increase of funds to support Part H. Appended are lists of organizational resources and acronyms. (DB)

A revised version of the report submitted to the National Commission on Childhood Disability, which was established to review the assistance given to children with disabilities under the Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The commission was releasing its findings and recommendations as the book went to print. Overviews the programs generally and the principles behind them, then details specific programs such as SSI, Medicaid, special education, block grants, Head Start, and mental health and family support programs. Includes over 40 pages of data. No index. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

First multi-year cumulation covers six years: 1965-70.