State Lead Agency:
Public Schools of North Carolina, Exceptional Children Division.

Local Lead Agency:
Local Education Agency (LEA); local school system.

Eligibility is based on identified concerns, diagnosed conditions, delays in developments, and the need for early intervention services. Assessment results from the past six months are presented to a local committee called a Consortium, on which you play an important role. Eligibility categories include:

• High risk established
• High risk potential
• Atypical development
• Developmental delay

Eligibility is based on screening and evaluation results. These results must not be older than one year. Results are presented to a local placement committee. You are an important member of this team. Eligibility categories include:

• Developmentally delayed
• Autistic
• Deaf-blind
• Hearing impaired
• Other health impaired
• Orthopedically impaired
• Speech-language impaired
• Visually impaired
• Traumatic brain-injured

Infant-Toddler Program services are available to eligible children and their families. Parents choose what services are provided. Services should be provided in the most natural environment. Infant-Toddler Program services include:

• Assistive technology services and devices
• Audiological services
• Child service coordination
• Early identification and screening
• Family counseling and therapy services
• Health services
• Medical services only for diagnostic or evaluation purposes
• Multidisciplinary evaluations and assessments
• Nursing services
• Nutrition services
• Occupational therapy
• Physical therapy
• Psychological services
• Respite services
• Social work services
• Special instruction (at home or in center)
• Speech-language therapy
• Transportation
• Vision services

Preschool Program services are available to children who are eligible for special education and related services as appropriate. Placement should be in the most natural and least restrictive environment (LRE). Preschool Program services may include:

• Early identification and screening
• Multidisciplinary evaluations
• Medical services evaluations
• Related services such as:
  • assistive technology
  • occupational therapy
  • physical therapy
  • speech-language therapy
  • transportation
• Special education (home, center-based, or itinerant)

The North Carolina Infant-Toddler Program uses the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP).

The IFSP will:

• be responsive to your family’s concerns, resources, and priorities;
• be approved by your family before implementation;
• set outcomes for the needs of your child and your family;
• be discussed and written in your family’s language and way of communicating;
• be supportive of your family’s values; and,
• be reviewed at least every six months.

You help decide what information you want on your IFSP.

The LEA may continue to use the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) or develop an Individualized Education Program (IEP).

The IEP will:

• reflect your child’s educational needs through goals and short-term objectives;
• generally be written for one year, but may be changed as needed;
• support the child through appropriate services or programs;
• provide services in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE), which for preschoolers is the natural environment; and,
• respond to the concerns of your family.

The Preschool IEP Team, with you as a member, will decide what educational goals will be on the IEP.

• Participation in the North Carolina Infant-Toddler Program is voluntary.
• Your main contact for services is your Child Service Coordinator (CSC) employed through your local Health Department, Area Mental Health Program, or another agency.
• Planning is done before and during IFSP development. You, your CSC, and other service providers decide what services are needed, who will provide the services, and where they will be given. Services are based upon recommendations from your child's evaluation, your preferences, and the particular needs of your family.
• A variety of local programs and professionals can be used to provide needed services. These may be provided in the home or in another setting where typically developing children are served. Service options may vary from community to community.
• Your child must leave the North Carolina Infant-Toddler Program at age three. Children who are eligible will move into the Preschool Program coordinated by the LEA. Other services that your child may participate in, such as Head Start, regular preschool, etc., will be discussed with you at that time.
• Child service coordination can continue through your local health department or another local agency. You may discuss this with your CSC.

• Participation in the North Carolina Preschool Program is voluntary.
• Your main contact during the transition period is your child's CSC. Once your child is enrolled in the Preschool Program, your main contact will probably be with your child's teacher.
• Needed special education and related services are coordinated through the LEA. Planning is done at the IEP meeting where you are considered a full team member.
• During the IEP meeting, goals and objectives are developed based upon the child’s evaluation and present level of performance. After goals and objectives are developed, the team determines services to be delivered. The team also identifies where and for how long services
  will be provided.
• The LEA may have a variety of service options available for the child. These options might include home-based, school-based, or itinerant (traveling teachers) services.
• The main contact for continued services or a change in services will be your child's teacher.
• Continued special education services are available as your child grows older. However, eligibility must be met.