The Office of Special Education Programs is a federal program dedicated to improving results for infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities ages birth through 21 by providing leadership and financial support to assist states and local districts. OSEP administers the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997. OSEP accomplishes this mission by developing, communicating, and disseminating federal policy and information on early intervention; administering formula grants and discretionary programs authorized by Congress; fostering and supporting research and the development of knowledge and innovations to improve results; promoting and supporting the training of educational, related services, and leadership personnel, and parents and volunteers; and by evaluating, monitoring and reporting on the implementation of federal policy and programs and the effectiveness of early intervention and educational efforts.