Supporting smooth, seamless transitions for children and families in the Birth to 3 Program
Transitions in early intervention refer to the process in which families transition from one type of service, setting, or situation to another. This may include transitioning from early intervention services to school, transitioning from one provider to another, transitioning from a hospital setting to the early intervention program, transitioning from one home to another, etc. Transitions in early intervention can be difficult for children and their families, as they may require changes in routines, changes in providers, and changes in settings. It is important for providers to support families during these transitions, as it can help ensure a successful transition and continued progress for the child.
Homegrown resources
- Birth to 3 Program Operations Guide (Chapter 11: Transition): The Birth to 3 Program Operations Guide clarifies the program’s purpose and requirements and captures the relevant policies and procedures needed for local agencies to operationalize the program. Practice Guide – Read Time: 10 minutes
Interactive Transition Toolkit
The Transition Timeline Toolkit is an interactive resource for Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education providers designed to guide and support the seamless transition of eligible children and families from Part C to Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA). This resource was developed by the RESource Project, under the contract of the Department of Health Services (DHS) in collaboration with the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) EL-TAI technical assistance project. This resource was highly informed by research, experience and feedback from the WI Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education workforce.
National Resources
- DEC Recommended Practices (Transition: pg 16): The Division for Early Childhood (DEC) Recommended Practices provide guidance to practitioners to help bridge the gap between research and practice by highlighting those practices that have been shown to result in better outcomes for young children with disabilities, their families, and the personnel who serve them. Practice Guide – Read time for section: 5 minutes
- Transition from Hospital to Early Intervention Checklist: This Early Childhood Technical Assistance (ECTA) Center checklist includes practices that can be used to support the transition of newborn or very young infants and their family members from hospital services to early intervention services. Practice Improvement Tool: Self-paced
- Transition from Early Intervention to Preschool Special Education Checklist: This Early Childhood Technical Assistance (ECTA) Center checklist includes practices to support the transition of toddlers from early intervention services into preschool or preschool special education services. Practice Improvement Tool: Self-paced
