How the Early Intervention Process Works
Early Intervention was created to provide children who have developmental delays and disabilities with the support and services necessary for them to thrive. The ECCM Early Intervention Program takes advantage of the natural learning opportunities that occur throughout the daily routine of the child and their family.
Now that you have taken the first steps in helping your child succeed, it is important to understand the process involved. Doing this will ensure that you and your child are getting the most out of the program.
What is Early Intervention?
Early intervention is a system of services designed to support infants and toddlers (under age 3) with developmental delays or disabilities. The goal of early intervention is to help these young children learn and develop the skills they need to succeed in life. Early intervention services are typically provided in the child’s home or a community-based setting, such as a childcare center or preschool.
Early intervention focuses on the child’s development in five key areas: cognitive, physical, communication, social-emotional, and adaptive. These services are designed to enhance the child’s development and provide support to the child’s family. Early intervention providers work with the child and their family to identify the child’s strengths and needs and to develop a plan for services that is tailored to the child’s individual needs.
1. Find an Early Intervention Service Coordinator
Finding a service coordinator is one of the first steps to getting your child the care they need. The service coordinator is part of the early intervention system, which ensures timely and coordinated support for children with developmental delays or disabilities.
They are there to provide any information and resources that will help your child succeed, and assist with any issues that arise. After you are connected with a service coordinator, they will determine which services your child is eligible for by doing either a qualifying diagnosis or through a multi-disciplinary evaluation.
Once the developmental delays are identified, the service coordinator will work with you to develop a plan of therapy that can best help your child. They will then help you find a list of qualified providers specific to your therapy plan and connect you to their services. They will be in contact with you throughout the entire human services system, ensuring that your child will receive the best care possible.
They will be in contact with you throughout the entire human services system, ensuring that your child will receive the best care possible.
2. Determine Child’s Eligibility
The services provided to the children and their families differ based on the individual needs and strengths of each child. Any children from birth to age five who have special needs due to developmental delays and disabilities are eligible to receive Early Intervention. This is determined by conducting either a qualifying diagnosis or a multi-disciplinary evaluation.
The screening process is conducted by a group of professionals who have different areas of training and experience (i.e. a service coordinator, therapists, and other specialists). The evaluation and assessment process is mandated by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which ensures that these services are provided at no cost to parents.
They will evaluate your child by observing them, asking your child to do things, talking to you and your child, and using other methods that will help the team find out how your child functions in the five areas of development.
3. Creating an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)
An IFSP is a written plan that outlines the services and support that your child will receive through the early intervention program. The IFSP is developed in collaboration with you and the early intervention team and is based on the results of your child’s evaluation and assessment.
The IFSP will include information about your child’s strengths and needs, in addition to the services and supports that will be provided to address those needs. The plan will also describe goals and objectives for your child’s development, plus a timeline for achieving those goals.
4. Selection of Early Intervention Services
The services your child receives will be selected in collaboration between the child's parents and the service coordinator. We will connect your child with services such as parent education, support services, developmental therapies, and other family-centered services that may assist in your child's development.
These programs may be provided in many different settings to allow for maximum comfort. Some of which include the child’s home, child care center, nursery school, playgroup, Head Start Program, early childhood special education classroom or other settings that are familiar to the family. The Early Intervention Program is designed to be embedded into the typical routines and activities within the family, giving the child the environment and support that will allow them to flourish.
5. Next Steps After Finding a Service Coordinator
The service coordinator will serve as your primary point of contact with the early intervention program and will be available to answer any questions or concerns you may have.
In addition to working with the service coordinator, you may also work with other early intervention providers, such as therapists and counselors. These providers will work with you and your child to provide the services and support outlined in the IFSP.
Remember, early intervention is a collaborative process that involves you, your child, and the early intervention team. By working together, we can help your child develop the skills they need to succeed in life!
ECCM is Here to Help
Here at ECCM, we will tirelessly work with you to ensure your child receives the support and services they need to thrive. The ECCM Early Intervention program promotes the collaboration between parents and service providers to enhance the child’s development in every way possible.