Individuals served are children between the ages of birth and three years who are referred by a County Office of Developmental/Intellectual Disabilities or Base Service Unit due to identified concerns with developmental functioning.
The objective of the program is to determine, using measurable criteria and within a narrow time frame from referral, the eligibility of a child for Early Intervention services funded by a County Office of Developmental/Intellectual Disabilities.
The Early Intervention system uses a single professional or a team of professionals (who are then not eligible to provide any recommended services) to evaluate the eligibility for services of a child. This is to maintain the integrity of the system and to ensure that only children eligible for services are funded for this program.
Referrals of children who are suspected of being eligible for services are made to Easterseals and an evaluation time is established. Based on the child’s needs, either a single professional is assigned who can address all developmental areas, or a team is assigned. A team usually consisting of two or more professionals representing education, nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy or speech therapy is assigned to conduct the evaluation. The team conducts an evaluation using established testing tools to determine the functional skills and developmental levels of the child in all areas, and helps to identify specific family strengths and needs. If a child is determined to be eligible for services, assistance is provided in establishing the type of intervention and development of the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP).
Evaluations are conducted at a site requested by the County. This is usually a family’s home, but might also include some other community setting.
