Innovation in Services for Young Children With Handicaps and Their Families: An Analysis of the Handicapped Children's Early Education Program Projects Funded From 1982 to 1986

Abstract

In 1968 the Handicapped Children's Early Education Program was established through federal legislation to increase and improve services for young children with handicaps and their families through the development of model demonstration projects. This study was conducted to determine areas of innovative practice in the 131 most recently funded projects (1982-1986). The analyses suggested that model services have been developed for new and previously underserved populations. Innovations in intervention emerged in curricula, mainstreaming, and transition services. Most of the interventions had a comprehensive family focus. Other areas of innovation Included: use of technology, interagency coordination, the type of service provider, and training and technical assistance. Innovations were discussed in terms of the challenges presented by P.L. 99-457.

Stakeholders' Views of Factors That Impact Successful Interagency Collaboration

“…Since the efficiency of these agencies has a direct and significant impact on the services provided to families and children, and interagency collaboration has been shown to enhance efficiency, the question of how federal and state governments facilitate and promote collaboration among agencies is of special interest. Studies investigating interagency collaboration for the past two decades have focused on community-or neighborhood-based collaborations (Capper, 1994;Morris & Kirkpatrick, 1987;Quinn & Cumblad, 1994); school-based collaborations (Greenan, 1986;Mitchell & Scott, 1993;Payzant, 1992); and early childhood services collaborations (Stegelin & Jones, 1991, Suarez, Hurth, & Prestridge, 1988. Clearly interagency collaboration is very important to providing appropriate services to young children with special needs and their families.…”