2006 Louisiana Laws - RS 17:1971 — Findings; policy

PART III.  CHILDNET:

LOUISIANA'S EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM

FOR INFANTS AND TODDLERS WITH

SPECIAL NEEDS AND THEIR FAMILIES

§1971.  Findings; policy

A.  The Louisiana Legislature finds that there is an urgent and substantial need:

(1)  To enhance the development of infants and toddlers with special needs and to minimize their potential for developmental delay.

(2)  To reduce the educational costs to our society, including Louisiana's schools, by minimizing the need for special education and related services after infants and toddlers with special needs reach school age.

(3)  To minimize the likelihood of institutionalization of individuals with special needs and maximize the potential for their independent living in society.

(4)  To enhance the capacity of families to meet the special needs of their infants and toddlers with special needs.

(5)  To enhance the capacity of state and local agencies and service providers to identify, evaluate, and meet the needs of historically underrepresented populations, particularly minority, low-income, inner-city, and rural populations.

B.  It is therefore the policy of Louisiana:

(1)  To develop and implement a statewide, comprehensive, coordinated, multi-disciplinary interagency system that provides early intervention services for infants and toddlers with special needs and their families.

(2)  To facilitate the coordination of payment for early intervention services from federal, state, local, and private sources, including public and private insurance coverage.

(3)  To enhance Louisiana's capacity to provide quality early intervention services and to expand and improve existing early intervention services being provided to infants and toddlers with special needs and their families.

(4)  To encourage Louisiana to expand opportunities for children under three years of age who would be at risk of having substantial developmental delay if they did not receive early intervention services.

Acts 1989, No. 377, §1, eff. June 29, 1989; Acts 1995, No. 1228, §1, eff. June 29, 1995; Acts 1998, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 109, §1, eff. May 5, 1998.