Early Intervention Services

Applies only to Federal Perkins Loans and National Direct Student Loans made on or after July 23, 1992.

This type of partial cancellation is for service as a full-time qualified professional provider of early intervention services* in a public or other nonprofit program under public supervision. Early intervention services are those services defined in section 672(2) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act** that are provided to infants and toddlers with disabilities.

**Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (revised 07-94)

Section 602 (a)(1) - The term "handicapped children" means mentally retarded, hard of hearing, deaf, speech or language impaired, visually handicapped, seriously emotionally disturbed, orthopedically impaired, or other health impaired children with specific learning disabilities who by reason thereof require special education and related services.

Section 672 (1) - The term "handicapped infants and toddlers" means individuals from birth to age 2, inclusive, who need early intervention services because they -

1. are experiencing developmental delays, as measured by appropriate diagnostic instruments and procedures in one or more of the following areas: Cognitive development, physical development, language and speech development, psychosocial development, or self-help skills, or
2. have a diagnosed physical or mental condition which has a high probability of resulting in developmental delay.

Such term may also include, at a State's discretion, individuals from birth to age 2, inclusive, who are at risk of having substantial developmental delays if early intervention services are not provided.

Section 672 (2) - "Early intervention services" are developmental services which -

1. are provided under public supervision,
2. are provided at no cost except where Federal or State law provides for a system of payments by families, including a schedule of sliding fees,
3. are designed to meet a handicapped infant's or toddler's developmental need in any one or more of the following areas:
   1. physical development,
   2. cognitive development,
   3. language and speech development,
   4. psychosocial development, or
   5. self-help skills,
4. meet the standards of the State, including the requirements of this part,
5. include -
   1. family training, counseling, and home visits,
   2. special instruction,
   3. occupational therapy,
   4. physical therapy,
   5. case management services,
   6. medical services only for diagnostic or evaluation purposes,
   7. early identification, screening, and assessment services, and
   8. health services necessary to enable the infant or toddler to benefit from the other early intervention services,
6. are provided by qualified personnel, including -
   1. special educators,
   2. speech and language pathologists and audiologists,
   3. occupational therapists,
   4. physical therapists,
   5. phychologists,
   6. social workers,
   7. nurses, and
   8. nutritionists, and
7. are provided in conformity with an individualized family service plan adopted in accordance with section 677.

Section 672 (3) - The term "developmental delay" has the meaning given such term by a State under section 676(b)(1).

Section 672 (4) - The term "Council" means the State Interagency Coordinating Council established under section 682.

Section 676 - Definition of "Lead Agency" -

1. In General - A statewide system of coordinated, comprehensive, multidisciplinary, interagency programs providing appropriate early intervention services to all handicapped infants and toddlers and their families shall include the minimum components under subsection (b).

2. Minimum Components - The statewide system required by subsection (a) shall include, at a minimum -
   . . .
   9. a single line of responsibility in a lead agency designated or established by the Governor for carrying out -
      1. the general administration, supervision, and monitoring of programs and activities receiving assistance under section 673 to ensure compliance with this part,
      2. the identification and coordination of all available resources within the State from Federal, State, local and private sources,
      3. the assignment of financial responsibility to the appropriate agency,
      4. the development of procedures to ensure that services are provided to handicapped infants and toddlers and their families in a timely manner pending the resolution of any disputes among public agencies or service providers,
      5. the resolution of intra- and interagency disputes, and
      6. the entry into formal interagency agreements that define the financial responsibility of each agency for paying for early intervention services (consistent with State law) and procedures for resolving disputes and that include all additional components necessary to ensure meaningful cooperation and coordination