Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) defines the processes and accountability measures in providing support for infants and toddlers. The goal is to ensure that these children and their families receive the supports (e.g., language, physical and socio-emotional) to lay a successful foundation for optimal growth and development. 

The supportive process begins with Child Find, a component of IDEA. Child Find requires states to identify, locate and evaluate all children with disabilities, from birth to age 21, who are in need of early intervention or special education services.

Infants and toddlers can receive early intervention services after they complete a hearing screening and have been identified with either a suspected or confirmed change in hearing levels.

Receiving Early Intervention Services

Once an infant or toddler’s deaf or hard of hearing status is confirmed and found to be eligible, early intervention becomes available. These  are also known as either “deaf education early intervention services” or “parent-infant services,” coordinated between two agencies:

• The Texas Education Agency (TEA) Sensory Impairments
• Texas Health and Human Services ECI Services

Early intervention services are often provided by trained parent advisors, who are also teachers. The process and specific services are outlined in an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP).

The Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)

The IFSP is a documented plan that guides the early intervention process for families and their children. The IFSP is developed during a meeting between the family and ECI provider to determine what services the child and family needs. A wide range of services can be included to address areas of needs.

Learn more about the IFSP process:

• Early Childhood Intervention Parent Handbook
• Making a Plan for Your Child: IFSP Considerations for Children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing
• Tips for Developing an IFSP 
• Writing the IFSP for your Child
• IDEA Early Intervention Meditation

 Further resources on Part C of the IDEA:

• Individuals with Disabilities Education Act - Part C
• Understanding IDEA Part C
• What is a Child's "Natural Environment"?

As early intervention laws and regulations are established at the federal level, states are responsible for statewide rules and processes to carry out federal mandates.  In Texas, house and state bills passed in state legislation are governing mechanisms. These bills provide guidance on mandates, policies, or strategic changes. Texas Early Hearing Detection and Intervention carries out these mandates, providing oversight and administration of the state early childhood system.

Early intervention rules and regulations can be found in the Texas Administrative Code, the Health and Safety Code, and/or the Texas Education Code, such as those listed below.

• House Bill 2255, Newborn Hearing Screening Referral Process

This bill requires the Department of State Health Services/Texas Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (DSHS/TEHDI) to provide information on infants and toddlers identified as deaf or hard of hearing to Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) programs as well as the Statewide Outreach Center at Texas School for the Deaf (SOC at TSD).

Collaboration is mandated between three state agencies: DSHS/TEHDI, the Statewide Outreach Center at Texas School for the Deaf (SOC at TSD), and the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) - specifically ECI programs.

• Texas Administrative Code Chapter 37, Subchapter S, concerning newborn hearing screening

This code mandates that all new babies born in Texas shall receive hearing screening, including follow-up services if they are deaf or hard of hearing. Additionally, the code outlines the newborn hearing screening process and establishes types of and costs for medical coverage.