DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SENIOR SERVICES DIVISION OF FAMILY HEALTH SERVICES PO BOX 364 TRENTON, N.J. 08625-0364 JON S. CORZINE HEATHER HOWARD Governor Commissioner www.nj.gov/health TO: INTERESTED PARTIES FROM: NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SENIOR SERVICES SUBJECT: NOTICE OF PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IN REGARD TO NEW JERSEY’S APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL FUNDS UNDER PART C, INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT (IDEA) DATE: MARCH 18, 2009 The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), lead agency for the administration of the New Jersey Early Intervention System (NJEIS), is applying to the United States Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs for continued participation in the Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities Program (Part C of IDEA). The purpose of this memorandum is to announce a public comment period. Background The NJEIS provides a comprehensive, coordinated interagency system of early intervention services for children with developmental delays/disabilities ages birth to three years and their families. In December 2004, the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), re-authorized by Congress as IDEA 2004, was signed into law. In accordance with this reauthorization, DHSS-EIS developed a federal grant application that reflects changes made in IDEA. Final federal regulations implementing changes made to Part C by IDEA 2004 have not been issued. In the ...