Early nutrition intervention services for children with special health care needs

Dietitians must be responsive to the changing needs of their clients and employers, to societal concerns, and to legal mandates. A recently passed amendment (PL 99-457) to the Federal Education for the Handicapped Act gives nutrition professionals the opportunity to have a voice in establishing nutrition policy and standards of care for young handicapped and high-risk children. The new law extends preventive services to children as young as 3 years of age, and Part H of the law provides financial incentives for states to provide services to children with special health care needs from birth to 2 years of age. This article reviews relevant provisions of the new law and describes two projects undertaken by nutritionists from Alabama, Mississippi, and Texas. It also summarizes challenges to nutritionists that will result from the law's implementation.