Part C contains many requirements states have to meet, including specific minimum components of a comprehensive statewide early intervention system. States have some discretion in setting the criteria for child eligibility, including whether or not to serve at-risk children. As a result, eligibility definitions differ significantly from state to state. States also differ concerning which state agency has been designated "lead agency" for the Part C program. In fact, statewide early intervention systems differ in many ways from state to state.
The minimum components under IDEA for a statewide, comprehensive system of early intervention services are consistent across all participating states:
Lesson Two of this module discusses in detail several of the other minimal components of Part C.
