This article synthesizes discussions that occurred among a consortium of professionals who were responsible for the evaluations of Part H (now Part C) programs in various states. The consortium was part of the Federal Interagency Coordinating Council's Subcommittee on Service Integration and Continuity of Services. This paper highlights issues emerging from state level evaluations in the context of 6 different areas: measures, outcomes, service integration, eligibility, funding models, and cost effectiveness. Part C originally was conceived to provide additional services to children and families who qualified under state definitions and to assist in system reform efforts through service integration strategies. The consortium addressed these purposes within the context of evaluation plans and data collected by states conducting state level evaluations. This paper synthesizes the consortium deliberations and suggests issues that need to be addressed in the evaluation planning process.

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This study investigated the use of a resource cost methodology to obtain reliable and current estimates of the cost of early intervention services for children, aged birth through five, with disabilities. In addition to providing cost estimates for 11 different early intervention programs, the study investigated the sources of variation in cost across programs. The factors that had the greatest influence on cost were program duration and frequency of service, staff-child ratio, geographic location, and volunteer resources. Results are discussed in light of the impact of those variables on cost and in light of the contribution of cost analysis to policy making.

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This article examines parent and child characteristics that are associated with utilization of funds authorized under Part C of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Child age and the presence of parent service needs are among the variables that influence how much early intervention service is available for infants and toddlers with developmental delays and disabilities, as authorized by the Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP). Higher levels of child need were associated with a larger number of services authorized, and greater amounts of unspent funds. It appears that children of high needs parents are less likely to use additional services their children need. These findings are interpreted to suggest that family and child characteristics that promote larger authorizations for Part C services may also limit their ability to utilize all of the services identified in the IFSP. In addition, this study found that contrary to expectations, the home environment was not superior to specialty and clinic settings on parent involvement in early intervention activities.