When there are concerns about a child’s development, program staff work with the child’s family and team to decide whether further evaluation is needed. After receiving consent from the family, a referral can be made to the local Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) agency who will conduct an evaluation. The formal evaluation identifies children with disabilities who are eligible for IDEA services.

These resources help program staff understand IDEA requirements for referral and eligibility evaluation and strategies to support families through this process.