Abstract
Although federal and state laws mandate individuals with disabilities and their families receive services, there is no set policies and procedures in place to ensure true accountability. Therefore, many individuals with disabilities find themselves receiving services much later than they are eligible and many families, especially those who do not speak English, do not have access to information that helps them to be productive members of their child’s educational plans. Sources of Data A review of literature was conducted to determine what the law says, how states have adopted Child Find and its subsequent impact, as well as the reflective experiences of families who either have a child with Down Syndrome or do not speak English. Results indicate families, in general, do not believe they are provided with enough information about their child’s disability and program when it is most critical at the infant/toddler level. Families who do not speak English are often not provided with interpreters and translators to help them be a meaningful participant in their child’s v educational plans and Child Find systems that have been well established in other states appear to be relatively successful although there is virtually no studies conducted about the hospital to home efforts, particularly in California Conclusions Reached There are many issues that individuals with disabilities and their families face today in the twenty-first century. Two such issues have arisen that continue to be a challenge for new families. One issue includes the process mandated by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 known as Child Find: Search and Serve at the infant/toddler level. The other issue is in regards to the parental rights and safeguards, particularly for those parents that come from non-English speaking backgrounds who often do not know their rights or understand them. This project serves to assist more families in receiving early intervention services in California by creating a handbook for parents of children with Down Syndrome in English, Spanish and Russian.