About Us

1986

P.L. 99-457 was signed into law.  State given 5-7 years to develop a statewide, comprehensive, multidisciplinary, interagency Early Intervention program.

1987s

Ohio's participation in Early Intervention is authorized by executive order of Governor Celeste.  Ohio Department of Health is designated lead agency for Part H, the Ohio Department of Education for Part B.  Ohio Early Intervention Interagency Coordinating Council was established in May, 1987.  Implementation of 11 Essential Components of Early Intervention.  Local County Collaborative Groups were established.

1988

Ohio Department of Health Early Intervention Conference.  Funding for statewide parent-to-parent support through the Family Information Network (FIN).

1990

State pre-school legislation passed.

1991

Executive Order renewed for four years by Governor Voinovich.

1992

Ohio begins the full implementation/entitlement phase of Part H in May, the first large state to do so.  Ohio department of Health's Early Intervention Unit became the Bureau of Early Intervention Services.

1993

Part H was pre-authorized as P.L. 102-119, Individuals with disabilities Educational Act (IDEA).

1994

Bureau of Early Intervention Services provided funding for COACT, the team training project for County Collaborative Group members.

1995

11 Essential Components of Early Intervention consolidated into 8 by combining IFSP and Service Coordination.  Ohio Early Start, a Governor's Initiative housed at the Bureau of Early Intervention Services.  30 of 88 counties awarded funding for home visiting services and community supports for infants and toddlers and their families to prevent child abuse, neglect and developmental delays.

1996

Executive Order renewed for four years by Governor Voinovich.  Transition training (transition from Early Intervention to preschool) was conducted statewide.

1997

Executive Order renewed for four years by Governor Taft.  Office of Special Education Programs made site visit to Ohio Department of Health and Ohio Department of Education.

1998

Department of Human Services made available TANF funds to expand Ohio Early Start to all 88 counties.

This expansion increased emphasis on self-sufficiency and abuse and neglect.  The Welcome Home initiative provided funding to 87 counties for home visits to first time and teen parents.  The visits were provided by registered nurses who completed health and physical assessments of newborns and mothers, as well as provided referrals to community resources.

All 88 counties awarded funding for Welcome Home Visits.

2001

Help Me Grow Program combines Early intervention, Ohio Early Start and Welcome Home.  Welcome Home becomes Newborn Home Visiting component and visits are expanded universally to parents as a county option.