Early Intervention Resources
Page will be updated as more options are found!
RESOURCES
1/22/20252 min read
The importance of early intervention:
Early intervention is crucial in child development because it can have a significant, positive impact on a child’s long-term growth, learning, and well-being. Addressing developmental concerns early on helps children reach their full potential and minimizes challenges they may face later in life. Here’s why early intervention is so important:
Where is early intervention available?
Each state offers an early intervention program for children up to three years of age. The exact name and availability of the program may vary by state, but it is typically administered by the state’s health or education departments. In Missouri, for example, it’s available through the Missouri First Steps program, which is administered by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Who is early intervention available to?
It is available to families with children aged birth to 3 years old who have developmental delays or disabilities. This includes a range of conditions such as:
Autism spectrum disorders
Down syndrome
Cerebral palsy
Speech delays
Sensory processing disorders
Developmental delays in cognitive, social, or emotional skills
Families do not need to have a formal diagnosis; if developmental concerns arise, the child may qualify for evaluation and services.
To access the program, families can typically request an evaluation through their state’s Early Intervention program..
Here is a list of states and their early intervention programs:
Alabama - Alabama's First Class Pre-K Program - Program starts at age 4
Connecticut - Birth to Three System
Delaware - Delaware Early Intervention Program (Birth to Three)
Florida - Early Steps
Georgia - Babies Can’t Wait
Hawaii - Early Intervention Services
Indiana - First Steps Early Intervention Services
Iowa - Iowa Early ACCESS
Kentucky - First Steps Early Intervention
Louisiana - Early Steps
Maine - Birth to 3
Maryland - Infants and Toddlers Program
Massachusetts - Early Intervention
Michigan - Michigan Early On
Minnesota - Early Intervention
Mississippi - Mississippi First Steps
Missouri - First Steps Program
Montana - Montana Milestones
Nebraska - Early Development Network
New Hampshire - New Hampshire Early Supports and Services (ESS)
New Jersey - Early Intervention Program
New Mexico - New Mexico Family Infant Toddler Program
New York - Early Intervention Program
North Carolina - North Carolina Infant-Toddler Program
North Dakota - Early Intervention Program
Ohio - Help Me Grow
Oklahoma - SoonerStart
Oregon - Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education (EI/ECSE)
Pennsylvania - Early Intervention
Rhode Island - Early Intervention Program
South Carolina - BabyNet
South Dakota - South Dakota Birth to Three
Tennessee - Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS)
Vermont - Early Intervention Services
Virginia - Virginia Early Intervention Program (VEIP)
Washington - Washington Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT)
West Virginia - West Virginia Birth to Three
Wisconsin - Wisconsin Early Intervention Program (EIP)
Wyoming - Wyoming Early Intervention Program
Each state runs its own program with specific guidelines, but they all align with federal mandates to provide early intervention services to children with developmental delays or disabilities. To access the program, you can contact your state’s specific early intervention program or visit their website for more details on how to request services.