Head Start regulations require that at least 10 percent of enrolled children are children with disabilities. Each Head Start program is responsible for establishing selection criteria and may include children with disabilities from families that have incomes above the Poverty Guidelines, in addition to enrolling children from families with incomes below the Poverty Guidelines.

Screening for potential developmental delays in children allows for early treatment and supportive services. On the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website, Head Start educators and families will find a number of resources on developmental screening tools.

Both activities may use a standardized tool. A screening is a brief glimpse of a child's health and development. Assessment is a continual process that tracks a child's developmental progress over time.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has developed a website to help you get familiar with the typical developmental milestones children go through. You can see milestones for children from 2 months to 5 years old. The CDC also provides information about what you can do when you are concerned. Here you will find information on developmental screening, a printable milestones checklist, and hints for talking to your doctor about your concerns.

The Center for Parent Information and Resources provides fact sheets that describe specific disabilities, offer tips, and connect you to further resources. Many fact sheets are also available in Spanish.

Resources Supporting Individualization is a collection of materials that support individualization. The resources are organized around the eight topic areas identified in the Division for Early Childhood (DEC) Recommended Practices. The topics are: Assessment, Environment, Family, Interaction, Instruction, Teaming and Collaboration, Transition, and Leadership. The practices have been validated as having the strongest evidence-base for individualizing teaching and learning opportunities for all children.

There are resources on the ECLKC that can help you talk to parents about suspected disabilities. It also is important for parents to understand their rights and how to communicate with LEA staff.

The High Quality Inclusion webinar series focuses on aspects of inclusion and services to children with disabilities. Experts draw on current evidence to cover topics such as assessment, screening, and evidence-best practices that support individualization. Information on partnering with parents is also provided.

IDEA is the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act that ensures rights and services to children and youth ages birth to 21. You can learn more about IDEA at http://idea.ed.gov.

The Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA) has links to each state's Part C and Section 619 regulations.