This resource is developed and maintained through a partnership between the Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services and the Johns Hopkins University Center for Technology in Education, and supports the work of the Early Childhood Intervention and Education Branch.
Through the Gateway you are able to access sections with resources dedicated to improving services for families with young children with disabilities.
Maryland State Department of Education
Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) Division of Special Education / Early Intervention Services
The Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services collaborates with families, local early intervention systems, and local school systems to ensure that all children and youth with disabilities have access to appropriate services and educational opportunities to which they are entitled under federal and state laws.
The Division assists local early intervention systems and local school systems to comply with federal and state regulations and to implement policies and procedures through grant funding, professional development opportunities, technical assistance, and monitoring.
Administering both state and federal programs for Early Intervention and Special Education, the Division comprises five branches: Early Childhood Intervention and Education Branch, Program Administration and Support Services Branch, Complaint Investigation and Due Process Branch, Community and Interagency Services Branch, and Divisional and State Interagency Support Branch.
Early Childhood Intervention and Education Branch
The Early Childhood Intervention and Education Branch provides oversight and support to local early intervention systems and local school system preschool special education programs for children with disabilities from birth through age five.
The Branch coordinates funding, technical assistance, training, and monitoring activities for the state's early intervention system under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Family-centered early intervention services to enhance the development of children with disabilities from birth to age three and to support families' capacity to meet the special needs of their infants and toddlers are provided through 24 local interagency Infants and Toddlers Programs.
The Branch provides funding support and technical assistance for preschool special education programs for children with disabilities from ages three thorough five in each local school system. Collaboration with other community-based early childhood programs and local Infants and Toddlers Programs is a major emphasis for preschool special education programs at the state and local levels.
The Branch also coordinates support and information activities for families of children with disabilities from birth through age 21 through local Family Support Networks, Preschool Partners, and Partners for Success Resource Centers.
