Steps For E.I.

After the initial phone referral, the service coordinator arranges an appointment with the family to discuss early intervention services and gather pertinent information about the child. A multidisciplinary evaluation (MDE) is then arranged with the independent evaluator under contract with CMSU. The initial MDE is used to determine the child's eligibility for early intervention services based on criteria established by the Commonwealth.

Early intervention services are available to infants and toddlers, from birth to age three, who have a significant delay (25% of chronological age) in one or more areas of development, or have a high probability for developmental delays based on known physical or mental conditions. Eligibility is based on delays in the following developmental areas using whole domain scores:

Physical development-child's ability to move, use finger skills, see and hear

Language and speech development - child’s ability to understand language and ability to talk or express need

Social and emotional development - child's ability to relate to others

Self-help (adapted) - child's ability to eat, dress, and take care of themselves

Cognitive development - child's ability to think and learn

If a child is not eligible for early intervention, he or she may be eligible for follow-up tracking. Children eligible for that service are:

Under three and one half pounds in birth weight

cared for in neonatal intensive care unit

affected by illegal substance abuse or withdrawal symptoms resulting from prenatal drug exposure

confirmed abuse or neglect

confirmed levels of lead poisoning

Once a child's eligibility for early intervention has been determined, the service coordinator works with the family and other early intervention team members on developing a written plan detailing family's concerns and priorities, strategies and ideas, and the early intervention services and supports to be received; all decisions are made by the team. The Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) is the foundation of family-centered early intervention services. An on-going relationship develops between the service coordinator and the family. The service coordinator meets regularly with the family to assess the family's level of satisfaction with services, monitor service outcomes and quality, and provide information on community resources. Services mostly commonly used to support families include special instruction (regular, vision, hearing), speech therapy, physical therapy and occupational therapy.

For children enrolled in Tracking, the Service Coordinator meets with the family at set intervals to complete an Ages and Stages Questionnaire. The results are reviewed with the family and developmental information is provided to the family along with suggestions that they can try with the child between Tracking visits.

Early intervention is funded through federal, EPSDT (MA), state and county dollars. Children who have medical assistance have their ACCESS card for services without a copayment to the family.