IDEA and Help Me Grow

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) ensures that intervention services are provided to young children with developmental delays. Help Me Grow resources help parents and professionals identify young children who would benefit from these services.

Minnesota’s Help Me Grow initiative provides information and resources that will help parents, professionals, and community members identify children who may be experiencing delays in their development.  Help me Grow provides information that will equip those who interact with young children (birth to kindergarten) to better monitor each child’s development.  When developmental concerns arise, individuals are encouraged to make a referral online at www.helpmegrowmn.org or by calling 1-866-693-GROW (4769).  Eligible children and their families receive high quality infant/toddler intervention or preschool special education services from local qualified professionals.

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What is IDEA?

IDEA stands for The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. IDEA ensures that intervention services are provided to young children with developmental delays. Help Me Grow is part of Minnesota’s statewide intervention system under IDEA. The Help Me Grow initiative provides information for families, early childhood care and education providers, and health care professionals in order to identify children who may benefit from these services.

IDEA for Ages Birth through Two

Infant and Toddler Intervention services, including  a statewide child find system, are included in the federal law, IDEA.

All primary referral sources are required to refer an infant or toddler through Help Me Grow as soon as possible but in no case more than seven days after a developmental concerns has been identified. There are also specific requirements for referring a child under the age of three who is the substantiated case of child abuse or neglect or who is identified as directly affected by illegal substance abuse or withdrawal symptoms resulting from prenatal drug exposure. (CFR 34 §303.303)

Primary referral sources include:

• Hospitals, including prenatal and postnatal care facilities
• Physicians
• Parents, including parents of infants and toddlers
• Child care programs and early learning programs
• Local Education Agencies and schools
• Public health facilities
• Other public health or social service agencies
• Other clinics and health care providers
• Public agencies and staff in the child welfare system, including child protective services and foster care
• Homeless family shelters; and
• Domestic violence shelters and agencies

Services to infants and toddlers with disabilities:

• In Minnesota, local school districts or staff from special education cooperatives provide services to eligible infants and toddlers and their families. Services are free to eligible children and their families regardless of income or immigration status.
• These services are typically provided in the family home or where the child spends their day, such as child care settings.
• The family of the infant or toddler is central to the planning and service delivery process. Goals are developed based on the needs, wishes and priorities of the family.
• The local school program will assist and support the family to move on to other services, when appropriate.

Congress established this program in 1986 in recognition of "an urgent and substantial need" to:

• Enhance the development of infants and toddlers with disabilities.
• Reduce educational costs by minimizing the need for special education through early intervention.
• Minimize the likelihood of institutionalization, and maximize independent living.
• Enhance the capacity of families to meet their child's needs.

IDEA for Ages Three to Five

Preschool Special Education services are also included in the federal law, IDEA.

• School districts provide instructional and therapy services as needed for eligible children.
• School staff work together with the child’s family to design the services, which are typically provided in child care or preschool programs in the community.
• These services are free for eligible children regardless of income or immigration status.