The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a law that ensures all children with disabilities are eligible to receive a free and appropriate education through special education services. Infants and toddlers, until a child turns 2, and their families receive early intervention services under IDEA Part C (Early Steps). Children ages 3 through 5 receive special education and related services under IDEA Part B (Child Find). Learn the Signs. Act Early. (LTSAE) is a federally mandated program of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that encourages parents of children ages birth to 5 years and providers who care for them to:
- Learn the signs of healthy development
- Monitor every child's early development; and
- Act early on possible developmental concerns: talk with doctors and ask for developmental screening.
The materials provided by LTSAE are parent education and engagement tools that support developmental monitoring and help staff decide when to refer a child to other professionals for screening; they are not a replacement for developmental screening. The Louisiana Department of Education has partnered with the Louisiana Department of Health to offer our early childhood networks the opportunity to co-brand and customize some of the LTSAE materials.
