Wyandotte County Infant-Toddler Services

What are Infant-Toddler Services?
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) mandates special education for children from birth through age 21. A section of this law – Part C – sets guidelines for services for infants and toddlers with disabilities. The State of Kansas administers these services through the Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), and Children’s TLC contracts with KDHE to provide these services through Wyandotte County Infant-Toddler Services (WCITS).

Who Receives the Services?
Infant-Toddler Services are provided to all children through age 2 and their families. Eligibility is determined by demonstrated delay in one or more developmental areas or a condition that is likely to result in such a delay. Children’s TLC serves all eligible children who reside in Wyandotte County, KS.

Typically, approximately 175 children receive services with 30-40 in the evaluation process.

What Services are Provided?
A variety of services are named in the Part C regulations and must be available if needed. In practice, most children and families’ needs are met by one or more of the following services: Developmental Intervention (provided by Early Childhood Special Educators), Speech Language services, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy, Social Work, Health Services, and Interpretation/Translation. Other services, such as specialized services for children who are visually impaired or deaf/hard of hearing, are provided by contracting with community partners.

The focus of all services is to increase the capacity of families to work toward identified outcomes with their own children. An Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) is written with each family. As a part of every plan, one of the service providers will assume the role of Family Service Coordinator (FSC). The FSC is responsible for monitoring the IFSP process and connecting the family to other resources necessary to meet their needs.

Where Are the Services Provided?
In accordance with best practices and state and federal regulations, children are served in their natural environments to the maximum extent possible. This is defined as being a place where children would naturally be if they did not have a disability. Most often, this is the family home or child care setting, but could include other community settings, as well.

How does the Wyandotte County Office Operate?
In Kansas, each network is free to design services in a way that is most appropriate to its community. Monitoring and technical assistance from the state helps to ensure a high quality of service across the state.

In Wyandotte County, we emphasize a team approach among service providers as well as with caregivers. We employ a staff of trained teachers, therapists, and related service providers who work in geographic teams to serve each eligible child and family. Team members use their specific expertise as well as the collective strength of the team to enable all caregivers to work toward family-identified outcomes.

What if I think a child may need services?
Anyone can make a referral. Most often, referrals come from health care providers, other community agencies (Parents as Teachers, Early Head Start, etc.) and family members. A referral can be made by calling 913-287-8851.

When a referral is made, a member of our staff will contact the family within 2 working days. An intake visit is scheduled with the family in order to prepare for a full evaluation of the child. If the child is eligible, the service providers and family work together to create the Individualized Family Service Plan. The plan is reviewed periodically, and continues until the child turns three or is no longer eligible.

Services are provided at no cost to families.

For additional information regarding Wyandotte County Infant-Toddler Services, please contact us at 913-287-8851 or info@wcits.org.