If your child has special needs, or you believe that your child may be developmentally delayed, they may qualify for services and supports mandated under the Individuals with Disabilities Act amendments of 1997.  This law guarantees certain rights to young children (ages birth to 5) with special needs.

For children age birth to three, these services are called "Early Intervention Services", sometimes referred to as "Birth to Three Services" in Washington.  Early Intervention Services are services for infants and toddlers that are designed to identify a delay and provide services as early as possible. Early intervention services utilize the child and family's daily activities and routines, and often occur in various settings such as the child's home, day-care, local park or other community settings.   Early intervention services are federally mandated under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Part C.

Early intervention services are provided as they relate to the child's development.  Some other early intervention services your child may benefit from:

• assistive technology services and devices

• family training, counseling and home visits

• health services (nutrition, nursing, diagnostic evaluation, hearing, vision, dental, etc.)

• therapies (occupational therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy, etc.)

• psychological services (counseling, behavioral intervention support, etc.)

• social work services (resource coordination, outreach, advocacy, etc.)

• transportation

How to Qualify for Early Intervention Services

If you or a referring professional suspect that your child may have developmental delays or already know that they have substantial ongoing developmental needs, a Family Resource Coordinator (FRC) can help you find resources for your child.  Family Resource Coordinators assist and enable the family of an eligible child to enroll in services under either the state funded County Child Development Programs or Part C of IDEA Early Intervention Program.

If you have any concerns, or would like to connect with a Family Resource Coordinator, contact: