This new law brought about significant changes for handicapped infants, toddlers, and preschoolers from birth to age 5, and provided early intervention services and preschool programs for these children. The services vary from state to state.
Most states are in the process of phasing in an early intervention program.
There is state discretion with respect to which agency is designated for overall administration of the program. The Governor must also establish an interagency coordinating council composed of relevant agencies, consumers, and providers. This Council is to assist in the development and implementation of state applications, as well as interagency agreements and the identification of resources, and to otherwise advise the state. In some states, the Council also serves as the lead agency. The state must adopt a public policy which includes all of the components of a statewide system for providing early intervention services to eligible infants and toddlers.