New Jersey § 26:1a-36

§ 26:1a-36.

The Legislature finds and declares that: a. It is in the best interests of the State to provide a comprehensive system of early

intervention services to support infants and toddlers with disabilities, those at

risk for disability, and their families, that is built on existing social networks,

and naturally occurring supports such as community associations and extended families

which promote the inclusion of the child and the family within the community; b. Infants and toddlers with disabilities are uniquely dependent on their families

for survival and nurturance, and while service systems and the personnel within those

systems may fluctuate, a family is the only common thread in a child's life; c. There is an urgent need to enhance the development of infants and toddlers with

disabilities to minimize their potential for developmental delay and to enhance the

capacity for families to meet the needs of these infants and toddlers; d. There is also a need to reduce the education costs to our society, reduce costs

associated with reliance on social services, minimize the likelihood of institutionalization,

reduce health care costs and improve the long-term health and potential for future

employability and independence of infants and toddlers with disabilities; e. No one agency or discipline can meet the complex needs of infants with disabilities

and their families, and services to infants and toddlers with disabilities must be

comprehensive and multi-disciplinary and must be coordinated so as to assure access

and assist families in obtaining needed information and encouraging advocacy on their

behalf; and f. Services and strategies to assist and support families must respect autonomy, interdependence

and decision-making in a way which reflects the unique racial, ethnic, cultural and

social-economic experiences and background of a family.