Number: RL31273
Title: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): Early Childhood Programs (Section 619 and Part C)
Authors: Richard N. Apling, Domestic Social Policy Division 
Abstract: The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the main federal program providing special education and related services to children with disabilities. The largest and most often discussed part of IDEA is the Part B grants to states program, which mostly funds programs for school-age children with disabilities and accounts for nearly 90 percent of funding for the Act. In addition to the Part B grants to states program, IDEA authorizes two other state grant programs aimed at younger children: Part C, the Infants and Toddlers program, which serves disabled children from birth to 2 years of age and Section 619 of Part B, the Preschool program, which generally serves children ages 3 to 5. This report summarizes the provisions of these two grant programs and, in the final section, provides an overview of selected other federal programs that serve these age groups.
Pages: 12
Date: Updated February 6, 2002