§ 20-14-501 - Legislative determination. - Arkansas Statutes

20-14-501. Legislative determination.

(a) The General Assembly finds that there is an urgent and substantial need to:

(1) Enhance the development of infants and toddlers with handicaps and to minimize their potential for developmental delay;

(2) Reduce the educational costs to our society, including our state's schools, by minimizing the need for special education and related services after the infants and toddlers with handicaps reach school age;

(3) Minimize the likelihood of institutionalization of individuals with handicaps and to maximize the potential for their independent living in society; and

(4) Enhance the capacity of families to meet the special needs of their infants and toddlers with handicaps.

(b) It is therefore the policy of this state to:

(1) Develop and implement a statewide, comprehensive, coordinated, multidisciplinary interagency program of early intervention services for infants and toddlers with handicaps and their families;

(2) Coordinate payment for early intervention services from federal, state, local, and private sources, including public and private insurance coverage; and

(3) Provide quality early intervention services and to expand and improve existing early intervention services being provided to infants and toddlers with handicaps and their families.