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Assessment- An ongoing process of looking at a child's development to gather information about strengths, needs, level of functioning, families' resources and services to meet identified needs.

At Risk- A term used with children who have, or could have, problems with their development that may affect later learning.

Central Coordinating Site (CSS)- Contact location in each county for families seeking information about services for children with, or at risk for, special needs. Interlink- Help Me Grow is the central coordinating site for Early Intervention, Early Start, and Welcome Home in Cuyahoga County.

Child Find- A system developed to locate eligible children for Early Intervention services.

Complaint- A written, signed report of an alleged violation of federal or state statutes, regulations, rules or constructions, and a request that the alleged violation be investigated.

Confidentiality- The protection, by law, of personal information found in records about a child and family that cannot be shared without written parental consent.

Consent – 1) The parent has been fully informed of all information relevant to the activity for which consent is sought, in the parent’s native language or other mode of communication. 2) The parent understands and agrees in writing to the carrying out of the activity and lists the records (if any) that will be released and to whom. 3) The parent understands that the granting of consent is voluntary on the part of the parent and may be revoked at any time.

County Collaborative Group (CCG) – The Help Me Grow Collaborative of Cuyahoga County is the local CCG. Each county in Ohio has a CCG that oversees Early Intervention services in that specific county.

Developmental Assessment – Looks at child’s strengths and needs in the areas of social/emotional, adaptive, cognitive motor (including vision and hearing) and communication development.

Developmental Milestone – A skill that is recognized as a measurement of a child’s functioning that is typically achieved by a certain age.

Developmental Delay – A child has a developmental delay if he/she fails to reach developmental milestones for his or her age in one or more of the following areas: social/emotional, adaptive, cognitive motor (including vision and hearing) and communication skills.

Developmental Disability – Any physical or mental condition (such as mental retardation, cerebral palsy, autism, epilepsy, etc) that begins before the age of 18 years, causes the child to acquire skills at a slower rate than his/her peers, is expected to continue indefinitely, and impairs the child’s ability to function normally in society.

Due Process – A process described in IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) for settling disputes between parents of a child with disabilities and the school system.

Early Intervention Services – Services designed to evaluate and meet the needs of children with special needs under 3 years of age, and to enhance their families’ abilities to foster their development.

Evaluation – The process that determines a child’s eligibility for services (see developmental assessment).

Family-Centered – Reflecting the wishes and priorities of the family.
IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) – A federal law governing special education for students with disabilities, age birth to 21. Enforced by the federal Office of Special Education Programs.

IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan) – The written plan for providing Early Intervention services to an eligible child and the child’s family, based on the child’s current level of development. IDEA requires this document to be completed within 45 days of referral to Early Intervention.

Local Education Agency (LEA) – The agency responsible for providing special education services on the local school district, city and county level.
Multidisciplinary – A team of two or more professionals qualified to assess various areas of development.

Native Language – The language or mode of communication normally used by the parent.

Natural Environments – A home, childcare center, or other place where children are typically found. IDEA mandates that infants and toddlers with special needs be served in natural environments.

Outcome – A statement of the changes family members want to see for their child or themselves that is documented on the IFSP.

Parent – A parent, guardian, or person acting as a parent of a child, or surrogate parent who has been appointed. The term does not include the State if the child is a ward of the State.

Part C – Section of the IDEA which defines programs and service components for Early Intervention systems for infants and toddlers, under the age of 3, who have, or are at risk for, developmental disabilities and delays. (formerly Part H)
Procedural Safeguards – Rights and protections to ensure unbiased Early Intervention services for children and families.

Screening – Standardized tool used to determine whether or not a child needs further evaluation to determine a delay or disability. This is never used to determine a disability and can be repeated at various times under age 3 to show progress and /or identify possible areas of concern.

Service Coordination – An active on-going process that involves: 1) Assisting parents of eligible children in gaining access to the Early Intervention services and other services identified on the IFSP. 2) Coordinating the provision of Early Intervention Services and other services that the child needs or is being provided. 3) Facilitating the timely delivery of available services. 4) Continuously seeking the appropriate services and situations necessary to benefit the development of each child being served for the duration of the child’s eligibility.

Service Coordinator – Individual who is responsible under IDEA for: coordinating the development and implementation of the IFSP; coordinating and monitoring service delivery; informing the family of available advocacy services; coordinating with medical and health providers and facilitating the development of transition planning.

Service Provider – Individual trained to support the family by sharing their knowledge and expertise in response to an outcome.

Transition Plan – Written plan for supports whenever a placement change is made, whether from hospital to home, home to preschool or childcare, to another county or state or from the Early Intervention program to public preschool programs at age three.