History

tiny-k Early Intervention, previously known as Douglas County Infant-Toddler Coordinating Council (ICC), was founded in February 1992 and began providing services and support to families and children, ages birth to three years, with developmental delays and special needs. The organization's name was changed in the Fall of 2006 to be more readily recognized by the local community as part of the statewide system of early intervention networks.

Infant-Toddler (Early Intervention) Services are mandated under the Federal Law IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). The amendment to serve 0-3 year olds was added in 1986, and states were given 5 years to plan and implement their programs. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) was designated as the lead agency by then governor Mike Hayden.

Sarah Ailor (Walters) was hired as the first tiny-k Coordinator and services were first delivered in the Spring of 1992. tiny-k Early Intervention was initially housed at KU at the Schielfelbusch Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic, and KU was the tiny-k's first fiscal agent. Services were provided by community agencies and individuals through contracts with thetiny-k .

tiny-k Early Intervention has had several fiscal agents throughout the years, including Lawrence Public Schools and the Southeast Kansas Education Service Center (Greenbush). tiny-k's current fiscal agent is Northeast Kansas Education Service Center.

Dena Bracciano was hired as Coordinator in 1995 and a Board of Directors was founded in 1997-98. An endowment fund to benefit tiny-k was set up with the Douglas County Community Foundation in 2003. tiny-k Early Intervention incorporated and became a 501c3 non-profit organization in 2004. Full-time employees were hired beginning in July 2004.