§1431. Findings and policy
(a) Findings
The Congress finds that there is an urgent and substantial need-
(1) to enhance the development of infants and toddlers with disabilities and to minimize their potential for developmental delay;
(2) to reduce the educational costs to our society, including our Nation's schools, by minimizing the need for special education and related services after infants and toddlers with disabilities reach school age;
(3) to minimize the likelihood of institutionalization of individuals with disabilities and maximize the potential for their independently living in society;
(4) to enhance the capacity of families to meet the special needs of their infants and toddlers with disabilities; and
(5) to enhance the capacity of State and local agencies and service providers to identify, evaluate, and meet the needs of historically underrepresented populations, particularly minority, low-income, inner-city, and rural populations.
(b) Policy
It is therefore the policy of the United States to provide financial assistance to States-
(1) to develop and implement a statewide, comprehensive, coordinated, multidisciplinary, interagency system that provides early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families;
(2) to facilitate the coordination of payment for early intervention services from Federal, State, local, and private sources (including public and private insurance coverage);
(3) to enhance their capacity to provide quality early intervention services and expand and improve existing early intervention services being provided to infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families; and
(4) to encourage States to expand opportunities for children under 3 years of age who would be at risk of having substantial developmental delay if they did not receive early intervention services.
(
Prior Provisions
A prior section 1431,
Effective Date
Section 201(b) of