About the Infant Development Program

NAVIGATION

The Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) Infant Development Program (IDP) supports families and their young children by providing information, community resources, and activities that address their individual needs. 

Mission Statement

The Infant Development Program recognizes that parents and families are the first and primary teachers of their children. Through a supportive, caring, family-focused relationship, we are dedicated to strengthening and guiding the education of children and to providing a link between families and their community.

Beliefs and Philosophy

  • Families are decision-makers and a child’s first teachers
  • Effective strategies and supports are: designed around and promote family strengths; culturally competent and responsive; in the context of natural routines of the child and family; and provided in natural environments
  • Skilled providers focus on family competence
  • Early identification and family engagement are critical to early intervention

Transdisciplinary Teams

  • Teachers with Early Childhood Special Education Credentials—Implement the Individual Family Service Plans (IFSPs) designed for each child's well being
  • Vision Specialists, Hearing Specialists, & Nurses—Available, as needed, to meet individual needs and consult on the overall health of the child
  • Speech and Language Therapists—Evaluate the level of skill development with respect to understanding language and using verbal expression. Work with children and caregivers to support language development during daily routines.
  • Pediatric (OT/PT), Physical, and Occupational Therapists—Evaluate movement, muscle tone, strength, balance and hand/fine motor skills, and feeding skills. The therapist will work with children and their caregivers to facilitate the development of motor skills such as rolling, sitting, crawling, and walking and the development of fine motor skills such as grasp patterns and eye-hand coordination, along with the development of independent feeding skills.
  • Infant Educators—Work under the direction of a special education teacher to implement the IFSPs designed for each child
  • Bilingual Staff and Interpreters—Support families to access services in their primary language
  • Staff and Family Support (Licensed Clinical Social Worker: LCSW)—Engages in reflective practice with team members, provides guidance, collaboration, coaching, and support to staff and families related to social and emotional learning (SEL), trauma-informed practices, infant mental health principles, etc.

Recognition

The IDP has been recognized by the California Department of Education (CDE) as a model for exemplary practices and comprehensive services in the field of Early Intervention. Highlighted areas of expertise include Assistive Technology, Natural Environments, Family Involvement, Part C to Part B Transition, Low Incidence, and Interagency Collaboration.

Partners

The IDP is part of the SCOE Special Education Department. Funding comes from state and federal sources. There is no charge to families for services. Partners include:

  • Alta California Regional Center (ACRC)—Works collaboratively with other social service agencies that also offer individualized supports for people with developmental delays or disabilities.
    (916) 978‐6400
  • WarmLine Family Resource Center—Staffed by parents or family members who can provide information, family support, public awareness, advocacy, parent and professional training, resources, and parent‐to‐parent support.
    (916) 455‐9500 or (844) 455‐9517