Lancaster County Website
Lancaster County Website
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WHAT IS EARLY INTERVENTION? Early Intervention supports families with children with developmental delays. Supports are based on the strengths and needs of the child and family to enhance the child’s development. Supports are designed to:
{Teddy bullet} Answer questions about your child’s development {Teddy bullet} Assist you to interact with your child throughout daily routines at home and in the community {Teddy bullet} Enhance your child’s development and educational growth {Teddy bullet} Support your child to become more independent {Teddy bullet} Provide awareness in the community of the gifts and abilities of all children {Teddy bullet} Prevent costly intervention in the future HOW DO I KNOW IF MY CHILD NEEDS EARLY INTERVENTION? If you or your doctor is concerned about any area of your child’s development, your child can have a developmental evaluation to determine if he/she is eligible for Early Intervention. A child is eligible for Early Intervention if they have a 25% delay in one or more areas of development. {Teddy bullet} Physical Development-Ability to move, see, and hear {Teddy bullet} Speech and Language Development-Ability to talk, express needs {Teddy bullet} Social and emotional development- Ability to relate to others {Teddy bullet} Self help (or adaptive skills)-Ability to eat, dress, and take care of themselves {Teddy bullet} Cognitive development- Ability to think and learn WHAT SUPPORTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO OUR FAMILY IF OUR CHILD IS ELIGIBLE? Early Intervention supports include: information on how children develop, early childhood education and interventions which can help your child to move his or her body, ideas for how your family can help your child at home and in the community, and plans designed to help you enhance your child’s growing and learning. {Teddy bullet} Support Coordination {Teddy bullet} Special Instruction {Teddy bullet} Occupational Therapy {Teddy bullet} Speech/Language Therapy {Teddy bullet} Physical Therapy {Teddy bullet} Vision Supports {Teddy bullet} Hearing Supports {Teddy bullet} Others specified by law WHERE WOULD SUPPORTS OCCUR? Families and caregivers are considered a child’s first and most important teachers, and Early Intervention values and builds upon family and community life. Home routines, family activities, and community group activities provide natural opportunities for your child to learn and are the focus of Early Intervention supports. Early Intervention supports must occur in places that match the needs and strengths of your child and family. Supports occur in natural environments, including settings in which children without disabilities participate, such as at your home, child’s daycare, local playground, grandparents’ home, or other community location. Early Intervention must be provided in these family and community settings to the greatest extent possible. WHO PAYS FOR THE SUPPORTS? If your child is eligible, your family is entitled to receive supports at no cost. Eligibility is determined by a child’s developmental delay regardless of family income. Supports could be funded through Medical Assistance or via tax dollars through the WHAT IF MY CHILD IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR SUPPORTS? If you are still concerned about your child’s development, your child may be eligible for follow-up called Tracking. Your child is eligible for Tracking if: {Teddy bullet} He/she weighed under 3 ½ pounds at birth {Teddy bullet} Was cared for in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit {Teddy bullet} Has high lead levels {Teddy bullet} Other possible reasons You may also explore supports through other community resources and possibly your private health insurance company. HOW DO I CONTACT MY EARLY INTERVENTION OFFICE? mhmrearlyint@co.lancaster.pa.us
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