Transition Policy and Issues

Abstract

In order to discover the levels of concern about 13 issues related to three early childhood transitions, as well as to determine states' progress in developing transition policies and local interagency transition agreements, state-level early childhood leaders from each of the 50 states were surveyed by mail. Transitions considered included movement from hospital to community, from early intervention to preschool, and from preschool to primary school services. Respondents indicated considerable concern about transition issues, with directors of state parent training centers demonstrating significantly greater concern than state program coordinators or service providers. Concerns were reduced when respondents perceived their state to have developed state transition policies and widespread use of local interagency agreements related to transition. States varied considerably in their progress in transition planning, with more lagging behind on the hospital to community services transition. Implications of the findings are drawn for service providers, state policymakers, and family members of young children with disabilities.