Why is DESE involved?
The U.S. Department of Education oversees the state implementation of IDEA for children with disabilities ages 0-21. Part C of IDEA requires states to identify a “lead agency” for early intervention services birth to age three. In 1984, the Missouri General Assembly passed legislation to create the Parents as Teachers (PAT) program targeting all families of children birth to age five. Since DESE administers PAT and IDEA, it made sense to designate DESE as the lead agency for Part C. Governor Ashcroft signed an executive order on May 24, 1989, designating DESE as the lead agency. How is it funded? States that implement the IDEA Part C regulations are entitled to federal funds to support the program. In 2005, the First Steps program is estimated to cost $27.2 million dollars. Funding to cover those costs will include $7.7 million from federal funds, $2.7 million from Medicaid and $16.9 million, from state general revenue. Who is eligible? Missouri is one of eight states having a restrict
