EARLY INTERVENTION SECTION (0-3)

The Early Intervention Section (EIS) is a federal and state-mandated program that provides services to support the development of infant and toddlers from birth to three years of age. Information and support are also provided to parents to increase their knowledge about and ability to support their child’s development. The Department of Health (DOH) is the lead agency for the implementation of Part C, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) for the State of Hawaii. Within the DOH, EIS is responsible to ensure that Hawaii meets all the requirements and regulations of Part C of IDEA. For information about Part C, IDEA, please go to https://sites.ed.gov/idea/about-idea/.

Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR), Chapter 11-140, Early Intervention Services for Infants and Toddlers has been adopted and is effective October 21, 2013.  A letter to EI Stakeholders regarding the changes for Early Intervention and the revised eligibility criteria is here.

DELIVERY OF EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES

Early intervention services may be provided in-person, telepractice, or blended (i.e., combination of in-person and telepractice).  Determining in-person, telepractice, or blended is based on a discussion with the family on how services will be provided to support the family with meeting the needs of their child.  Families should contact their Care Coordinator for any questions regarding early intervention services for their child.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC COMMENT

The State of Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH), Family Health Services Division, Children with Special Health Needs Branch, Early Intervention Section (EIS) posted the Annual State Application under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) as amended in 2004 for Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2024.

To receive its allocation of the IDEA Part C funds, the State must submit an application to the United States Department of Education (USDOE), Secretary of Education.  The application verifies that the Hawai‘i DOH has reviewed its policies and procedures and assures that the Hawai‘i DOH will comply with the provisions required by Part C of IDEA 2004 (20 USC 1431-1444).  As part of this process, USDOE requires all states to publish the application and receive comments.

All comments will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. on May 17, 2024, at the Early Intervention Section, 1010 Richards Street, Suite 811, Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96813.

The application and supporting documents are available for review under the submenu “State Applications and Documents.”  Copies are available for review at the address above during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday (not including State holidays).  Copies will be mailed or emailed to any interested person who requests a copy.  For a mailed copy, call (808) 594-0000 (Oahu) for information and send to the Early Intervention Section, at the address above, a written request with the name/address of the requestor. For emailed copies please send request to [email protected].

Accommodations (interpreter, large print, etc.) may be requested for persons with disabilities by calling (808) 594-0000 (Oahu) at least five (5) working days before May 1, 2024.

HDOH will make the final decision on the grant application after considering all comments submitted and will post the final grant application on the HDOH EIS website on May 22, 2024.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The State of Hawai‘i, Department of Health (HDOH), Early Intervention Section, will receive written comments and hold public hearings to receive testimony on the proposed revisions of the Hawai‘i Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part C Early Intervention Policies and ProceduresThe proposed revisions to the Description of Part C Services and Other Definitions of the policies and procedures include:

  • Section II(K)(3)(xi):  Qualified Personnel
  • Section II(aa):  Parent Training and Information Center
  • Section III(l)(2):  Personnel Standards

Public hearings on the proposed revisions to the IDEA Part C Early Intervention Policies and Procedures will be held at the following location on May 1, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. as follows:

  • In Person:  Princess Victoria Kamāmalu Building, 1010 Richards Street, Honolulu, HI 96813.  Basement Conference Room A.
  • Virtually/Zoom Meeting for All Island (All interested persons statewide):

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Meeting ID: 998 1728 3770
Passcode: 521032

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All interested persons may submit testimony orally or in writing to the presiding hearings officer at the public hearing.  Written testimony will also be accepted until 4:30 p.m. on May 17, 2024, at the Early Intervention Section, 1010 Richards Street, Suite 811, Honolulu, Hawai‘i, 96813.

Copies of the proposed revised policies and procedures are available for review at the above address during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday (not including State holidays).  The proposed revised policies and procedures are also available for review under the submenu “State Applications and Documents.”

A copy of the proposed policies and procedures will be mailed or emailed to any interested person who requests a copy.  For a mailed copy of the proposed policies and procedures, call (808) 594-0000 (Oahu) for information and send to the Early Intervention Section, at the address above, a written request with the name/address of the requestor. For emailed copies please send request to [email protected].

Special accommodations (sign language interpreter, large print, etc.) can be requested for persons with disabilities by calling (808) 594-0000 (Oahu) at least five (5) working days before the scheduled public hearing.

HDOH will make the final decision on the proposed revisions after considering all presented testimonies from the hearing and will post the final IDEA Part C Early Intervention Policies and Procedures on the HDOH EIS website.