Programs Serving Children with Disabilities— IDEA as a Key Component of a State Early Childhood System

This brief, created in partnership with the Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA), provides information and resources about the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act’s (IDEA) two early childhood programs, early intervention services for infants and toddlers, and early childhood special education services for preschoolers. The brief also describes examples of how IDEA state staff and staff from other early care and education programs can work together to build a coordinated state system that will improve results for young children with disabilities and their families. Links to several helpful resources related to IDEA are included throughout the brief.