A. It is the purpose of the Oklahoma Early Intervention Act to establish the policy of this state to provide for early intervention services to infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families in accordance with Part C, formerly Part H, of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), as may be amended. These services are deemed to be necessary in order to:

1. Enhance the development of infants and toddlers with disabilities;

2. Reduce the educational costs to our society by minimizing the need for special education and related services after such children reach school age;

3. Minimize the likelihood of institutionalization of individuals with disabilities and maximize their potential for independent living in society; and

4. Enhance the capacity of families to meet the needs of their infants and toddlers with disabilities.

B. The implementation of this policy requires the development of a system of services to infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families which is:

1. Comprehensive, coordinated, multidisciplinary and interagency;

2. Delivered by the State Department of Education, Oklahoma State Department of Health, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and other publicly funded services for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families subject to the provisions of the Oklahoma Early Intervention Act; and

3. Intended to fulfill the requirements of Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), by providing early intervention services.

Added by Laws 1989, c. 102, § 2, operative July 1, 1989. Amended by Laws 1990, c. 51, § 136, emerg. eff. April 9, 1990; Laws 1993, c. 116, § 13, eff. July 1, 1993; Laws 2005, c. 89, § 1, eff. July 1, 2005.