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Infant Toddler Early Intervention Program (ITEIP)
Early intervention services during the first years can make a significant difference
in a child's life. Additionally, early intervention may also help parents understand their child's
developmental growth. In Washington State the early learning program is referred to as the Infant
Toddler Early Intervention Program (ITEIP) and is associated with a federal law called The Individuals
with Disabilities Act (IDEA) (1986). IDEA encourages states to improve early intervention services.
This directive provides guidelines for states in establishing and providing services for families with
infants and toddlers with disabilities. Additionally, through annual maintenance of effort funding by
the Washington State Legislature and Governor, the state is eligible to continue to apply for the federal
dollars. This Part C funding amounts to approximately $8 million federal dollars to enhance services for
eligible infants and toddlers. The state/federal partnership is essential in providing these services.
ITEIP is located within the Division of Developmental Disabilities in the Department of
Social and Health Services (DSHS) and works in collaboration with the Office of Superintendent of Public
Instruction (OSPI), the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Early Learning (DEL), and the Department
of Services for the Blind (DSB), to maintain a statewide system of early intervention services for children.
The ITEIP system in each county is directed by the Local Lead Agency under the authority of
DSHS, ITEIP Contracts. The local early intervention system is a collaborative program of child and family
serving agencies including schools, health and human services, families, and other community providers and
organizations. Each geographic area through coordination by the ITEIP Local Lead Agency must maintain a
County Interagency Coordinating Council to assure coordinated, collaborative, and comprehensive services.
The program helps families with infants and toddlers connect with resources they need.
The program provides service coordination and ongoing specialized services to families of eligible children
(age birth to three) with disabilities and developmental delays. When a child is identified with a developmental
delay, the necessary early intervention services are identified through family resources coordination.
Implementation and funding of services for each child and family are delivered as defined on an Individualized
Family Service Plan (IFSP). The IFSP is developed by the child's family and a team of professionals and includes
outcomes, services, and methods to assist parents/primary care givers to support the development of the child.
All children, birth to three, who meet the ITEIP eligibility, are entitled to early intervention services.
Under the direction of DSHS, as outlined in the federally approved state definitions, policies, and
procedures, the ITEIP program will:
Modified: May 5, 2009. 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
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