• Eligibility
  
• Services Provided
  
• Evaluation and Assessments
  

• Data and Training
  
• Child and Family Outcomes Measurement
  Project
  

• State Council
  
• Local Councils
  

• Data and Training
  
• State
  
• National
  

Infant Toddler Early Intervention Program (ITEIP)

The Infant Toddler Early Intervention Program (ITEIP) provides early intervention services, including family resources coordination, for eligible children from birth to age 3 and their families.

ITEIP, located within the Department of Social and Health (DSHS) Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), is the DSHS program responsible for implementing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act(IDEA), Part C in Washington State.

All children, birth to three, including children at risk for developmental delays, are entitled to participate in the following components with the consent of their parent(s): early identification, multidisciplinary evaluation, and determination of eligibility for early intervention services. Some early intervention services are provided through contracts with county governments.

Services related to the infant or toddler's development are offered to families at no cost unless state law requires a system of payments by families, which includes a schedule of sliding fees. For example, some state medical services do have a sliding fee. These programs are medically defined and were in effect prior to the passing of IDEA, Part C (H). All funds from IDEA, Part C, administered by DSHS and ITEIP, are payer of last resort and as such must be used last.

Congress and Intent of Part C

Congress established this program in 1986 in recognition of "an urgent and substantial need" to:

• enhance the development of infants and toddlers with disabilities;
• reduce educational costs by minimizing the need for special education through early intervention;
• minimize the likelihood of institutionalization, and maximize independent living; and,
• enhance the capacity of families to meet their child's needs.

The Governor of Washington designated the DSHS as the lead agency, with the primary responsibility for planning and implementing IDEA, Part C (then Part H) in Washington State. IDEA, Part C funds are used to enhance early intervention services for children, ages birth to three years, and their families, who meet Washington State's eligibility criteria. The federal legislation provides financial assistance to Washington State to:

• Implement a statewide, comprehensive, coordinated, interagency program of early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families;
  
  
• Facilitate the coordination of payment for early intervention services from federal, state, local and private sources, and enhance the capacity of the state to provide early intervention services. ITEIP provides staff to assist DSHS as the lead agency for overall assurances, contracting, and monitoring requirements;
  
  
• Facilitate the development of local and state interagency agreements and local early intervention plans, assist the contractors with implementation of policies and procedures, assist and support County Interagency Coordinating Councils (CICCs), provide support to the State Interagency Coordinating Council (SICC), and intra/interagency working committees; and
  
  
• Develop training across all major disciplines around Part C implementation and service delivery, and conduct ongoing monitoring of program operations, as necessary according to contractual need, and federal and state statutes.

Modified: April 24, 2008.  For more information on Infant Toddler Early Intervention Program, contact: (360)725-3516,   For more ways to get in touch with the Department of Social and Health Services go to the DSHS Contact Information Webpage.  Technical Site Comments:  DSHS Webmaster