Celebrating 50 Years of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

Schedule

• 11:00am-11:30am—Networking and refreshments
• 11:30am-12:30pm—Program begins

Purpose of Today’s Celebration

Today we celebrate 50 years of IDEA and the profound effects it has had on children, families, and communities across the Commonwealth. This event recognizes the families, providers, educators, advocates, legislators, and public servants whose leadership and commitment have helped build and sustain a strong system of supports for children with disabilities. It is also an opportunity to reflect on our progress, honor those who made it possible, and recommit ourselves to ensure that every child can learn, grow, and thrive.

About IDEA

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was signed into law in 1975 to ensure that children with disabilities have access to a free and appropriate public education and the services and supports they need to succeed. Over the past 50 years, IDEA has transformed opportunities for millions of children and families across the United States.

IDEA was later expanded to include Part C, establishing a statewide system of Early Intervention services for infants and toddlers with developmental delays and disabilities. Because of this expansion, families gained access to services designed to support child development during the earliest and most critical years of life.

Massachusetts has a long-standing commitment to implementing IDEA and ensuring that children and families have access to high-quality services and supports. Today, early intervention services programs, providers, advocates, families, and DPH continue to work together to advance the law’s promise of opportunity, inclusion, and improved outcomes for children with disabilities.

The Department of Public Health and Massachusetts Early Intervention Consortium would like to recognize today’s speakers and champions:

• Ron Benham—Early Intervention Champion
• Nicole Constantino—President, Massachusetts Early Intervention Consortium (MEIC) and Director of Early Intervention and Early Childhood Programs at Meeting Street 
• Senator Sal DiDomenico—Assistant Majority Leader of the Senate and Early Intervention Senate Champion for over 13 years 
• Kenzie Camara—Early Intervention Parent 
• Amber Chaplin—Early Intervention Parent
• Alex Friedman—Early Intervention Parent
• Commissioner Robbie Goldstein—Department of Public Health
• Representative Kate Hogan—Speaker Pro Tempore of the Massachusetts House, Early Intervention champion and supporter 
• Senator Robyn Kennedy—Early Intervention Champion and co-sponsor of today’s celebration
• Ellen Liversidge—First President of the Mass Early Intervention Consortium and First Director of the Westfield Infant Toddler Program
• Representative Jay Livingstone—House Chair of the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities and co-sponsor of today’s celebration
• Chairman Aaron Michlewitz—Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, longtime Early Intervention supporter, and recipient of the Louis L. Kafka EI Champion Award
• Colleen McGlynn Moody—Founder of the CJ Moody Fund and former Chief of Staff to the late former Senate Majority Leader, Fred Berry, who served as the Early Intervention Champion in the Massachusetts Senate for over 30 years
• Senator Michael Rodrigues—Senate Ways and Means Chairman
• Emily White—Director of the Early Intervention Division, Department of Public Health