Part C

Part C of IDEA—officially The Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities—is a federal grant program established in 1986 to assist states in providing a comprehensive, coordinated statewide system of early intervention services for infants and toddlers with or at risk for (at the state’s discretion) disabilities and their families.

Because Part C early intervention services receives direct referrals from medical providers, neonatal intensive care units, parents, early hearing detection and intervention (EHDI) programs, and others, it is one of the primary agencies likely to find children who are deaf-blind and refer them to state deaf-blind projects. Developing ways to connect and work within Part C’s early intervention system is one of the best ways to increase referrals to your project.

The resources in this section will give you: 

1. A closer look at how the Part C program works
2. Information to help you form partnerships with individuals who work in the Part C system
3. Ideas for addressing identification and referral challenges in your state