Programs; Toddlers IDENTIFIERS Interagency Coordinating Council; *Organizational Structure

This study examined the variety of service delivery models being used to provide services to infants and toddlers with disabilities in nine communities across three states (Colorado, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania). Information was derived primarily from focus groups and interviews conducted with community early intervention program administrators, service providers, and families, and analysis of policies and interagency questionnaires completed by representatives of the Local Interagency Coordinating Council in each community. Analysis revealed six qualitatively different organizational models: (1) single-program oriented; (2) network of programs; (3) loosely coupled systems; (4) moderately coupled interagency systems; (5) strongly coupled interagency systems; and (6) a comprehensive system for all children. Each model is described in terms of overall organizational structure, amount and nature of interagency decision making, target population, and scope and nature of service resources. The tw