Keywords

Early Head Start, low-income, Part C, referrals

 

Authors

  1. Summers, Jean Ann PhD
  2. Wall, Shavaun PhD

Abstract

Early Head Start is a provider of comprehensive early intervention services to infants and toddlers and their families from low-income backgrounds. Early intervention for infants and toddlers with disabilities (Part C of Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act) serves children and families of all income backgrounds. By law, a minimum of 10% of an Early Head Start program's enrollment must be children with disabilities; on the other hand, Part C is required to serve children with disabilities in the "natural environment" wherever possible. These overlapping mandates create a need for the 2 programs to collaborate in providing services to families of children with disabilities who are also from low-income backgrounds. This article explores collaboration between Part C and Early Head Start, with a focus on the processes of referral. It reports a qualitative study of the perceptions of healthcare providers in Part C and in Early Head Start about the other program, when they would refer, and their role in referring. Researchers interviewed healthcare providers in 6 sites, across 5 states, transcribed interviews, and applied computer software to code data and generate themes and categories. Early Head Start staff viewed monitoring children and helping families enter Part C programs as their responsibility. They described working intensively with families to overcome emotional and educational barriers to participation in Part C. Conversely, Part C providers were less well informed about the potential for their low-income families to benefit from Early Head Start. Especially when children had more severe disabilities, Part C staff members were sometimes reluctant to refer them to Early Head Start. Implications for training and for policy are discussed.