eNotes
December 1, 2015In this Issue:
- IDEA 40th Anniversary - Collection of Resources Source: U.S. Department of Education - November 30, 2015
- Part C 2015 Tipping Points Survey Results Source: IDEA Infant and Toddler Coordinators Association - Retrieved November 30, 2015
- Working Paper on Early Childhood Education Source: National Bureau of Economic Research - November 30, 2015
- Clinical Report on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Source: American Academy of Pediatrics - November 30, 2015
- Policy Statement on Ensuring the Health of Children in Disasters Source: American Academy of Pediatrics, Disaster Preparedness Advisory Council - November 30, 2015
1. IDEA 40th Anniversary - Collection of Resources
On Nov. 29, 1975, the passage of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, now known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), guaranteed access to a free, appropriate, public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment to every child with a disability. In celebration of 40 years of the IDEA, the U.S. Department of Education has created The IDEA 40th Anniversary webpage, which includes an IDEA History video; stories from parents, teachers, and other stakeholders; events; and a collection of select federal resources.
2. Part C 2015 Tipping Points Survey Results
The IDEA Infant and Toddler Coordinators Association (ITCA) recently posted the results of its 2015 survey related to Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) online. 2015 ITCA Tipping Points Survey - Part C Implementation: State Challenges and Responses summarizes findings from the survey, which is used to help track emerging issues related to eligibility, finance, and decisions regarding continued participation in the Early Intervention Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities (Part C of IDEA). Forty-nine of the fifty-six states and jurisdictions responded to the survey.
3. Working Paper on Early Childhood Education
The National Bureau of Economic Research has published a new working paper on Early Childhood Education (NBER Working Paper No. 21766, November 2015), by Sneha Elango, Jorge Luis Garcia, James J. Heckman, Andres Hojman. This paper organizes and synthesizes the evidence on a variety of early childhood programs. The authors discuss which programs are beneficial and whether they are cost-effective for certain populations.
4. Clinical Report on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
A new clinical report in the November 2015 issue of Pediatrics, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, identifies prenatal exposure to alcohol as the leading preventable cause of birth defects and intellectual and neurodevelopmental disabilities in children. The report discusses the range of effects that can occur in a child whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy and states that no amount of alcohol intake should be considered safe during any trimester of pregnancy. Neurocognitive and behavioral problems from prenatal alcohol exposure are lifelong, but early recognition, diagnosis and therapy can improve a child's outcomes.
5. Policy Statement on Ensuring the Health of Children in Disasters
A new policy statement in the November 2015 issue of Pediatrics, Ensuring the Health of Children in Disasters, emphasizes that the unique physical, mental, behavioral, and developmental needs of children must be met in all aspects of disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. The statement suggests Federal, state, tribal, local, and regional institutions and agencies that serve children should collaborate with pediatricians to prepare for disasters and to encourage readiness and resiliency among children and their families.