Transition to Early Childhood Programs

No matter what group, disadvantaged, disability, "normal", you are talking about, most people know that beginning "education" early is very important. However, putting this into practice is not easy for parents and agencies. In years of working for schools I saw many cases of parents who found out about services years after their child was first eligible for the services/program.

All states are to have programs (usually called Early Childhood Intervention, ECI) for children with developmental delays from birth through age two. At age three those services end and, if the child is eligible, they can be served by the next agency that serves children with disabilities. In most states that is the public school. Unfortunately, many parents are not aware of the ECI services and agency or that there are services for 3 and 4 year olds. If a child is in an ECI program, the parents should be informed of possible services and the next agency/school informed of the child. However, the parent must consent to giving information to the school and to meeting with the school.

Some states/agencies do a good job of letting parents know of services available for children 0-2 and 3+, but more communication is always needed. That is part of the goal of this posting. If you are aware of these services, Spread the Word. If you are not aware, find out about them, and then Spread the Word.

If a child is transitioning from an ECI program to a school, there are some issues that arise. The eligibility criteria for services for the 3+ age group is more narrow, so some children do not qualify for services. In other cases the child receives fewer services than they did in the ECI program. This is why parents are to begin receiving information from the ECI program before the child is 3. At times, that program does not know a lot about the public school programs and if the child will qualify. So, the parents should meet with and communicate with the school to find out what is available for their child. It can also be helpful if parents can find a person who has had a child in the school programs or someone who is knowledgeable of the school and other agency programs. In some communities, public and private programs will work with children with delays or disabilities. Some schools will work with these programs providing services at that program or at the public school.

Again knowledge is important. Parents need to know what is possible and what other schools do. Some schools do not include 3 and 4 year olds with disabilities with their peers very much. Parents may need to push for services outside of the school and inclusion activities. One source of information and links is the Beach Center early childhood cop.

At some point, I want to write more about issues that face parents and schools with the programs for children ages 3-5.