Early intervention services provide support to the families of children with developmental delays. A child may have developmental delays if they are behind other children their age in developing skills such as communication and mobility. EI services include services that help the child and teach the parent skills to help their child develop. These services include information on child developmental stages, early childhood education and intervention, ideas for families to help their children at home and in the community, and activities that help to enhance a child’s growth and learning.
If your child is eligible for services, a plan will be created that says what services the child is to receive. Depending on the child’s age, the plan is called an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) or an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). You will be part of the team that creates that plan. If you do not agree with the type or amount of services determined for your child, you have a right to disagree. To find out more about your right to disagree, call the Education Law Center at 215-238-6970 or see www.elc-pa.org.
Children under age three are eligible for Early Intervention (EI) Services if they have a delay in an area of development or they have a physical or medical condition which has a high probability of resulting in a developmental delay, including conditions like Down Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.
Children between the ages of three and five are eligible for EI services if they have a developmental delay or a disability that would qualify them for special education services if they were school age.
Call you County Office of Mental Health and Mental Retardation and request an evaluation. In Philadelphia, referrals for screening for the EI program are done by the Childlink program. Call 215-731-2110 to make a referral.
Last updated: Summer 2007
