Welcome to the Maryland Infants and Toddlers Program and Preschool Services Web Site. On behalf of the Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services in the Maryland State Department of Education, we invite parents, service providers, administrators, advocates, and the community at large to join us in sharing information and resources that support young children with special needs and their families.

To make a difference for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with disabilities, early intervention and preschool special education must be built on respect for families and their primary role in the growth and development of children. Our mission and focus is to ensure that every child has a place in the community and the best possible chance to succeed.

A child's early years are full of excitement and change for every parent—a great balancing act between dreams and challenges. For families of young children with special needs, the challenges may seem overwhelming at times. Concerns about a child's development, or how a disability may affect his or her ability to grow and learn may overshadow a family's dreams for the future.

By recognizing each family's concerns and priorities and focusing on each child's strengths and needs, the Maryland Infants and Toddlers Program assists families of children with special needs during the first three years of the child's developmental journey. Support, information, and coordinated services in community settings are what families tell us enhance their ability to manage the challenges and celebrate the gifts that each child has to offer.

As families and children leave the early intervention system, the focus on the child's strengths and inclusion in community activities continues. Preschool special education services and other community supports and services for young children and their families assist preschoolers with special needs to develop the skills that will be the foundation for school success.