Based on the multidisciplinary evaluation, infants and toddlers who meet the following criteria are eligible for EI services:
For children ages birth–3 in Allegheny County, a referral is made and/or the family requests an evaluation by contacting The Alliance for Infants at Toddlers at 412-885-6000. While others may refer a child, the referral will not move forward until the parent/guardian provides permission.
A service coordinator (SC) is assigned to and meets with the family. The SC may do an observation or complete a screening tool to determine if an evaluation is recommended or if the child should be monitored by developmental tracking.
The parent/guardian must provide written consent before a screening or multidisciplinary evaluation is completed. If recommended, an evaluation must be scheduled within 45 calendar days of the initial referral.
Eligibility is determined at the multidisciplinary evaluation, which typically occurs in a single 2-3 hour evaluation appointment in the child’s natural environment.
Once services begin, they are reviewed by the team (service coordinator, EI providers, and family) quarterly. A reevaluation is done annually to see if the child is still eligible for services.
If a child already receives Infant/ Toddler EI services, a transition planning meeting is held six months to 90 days before the child’s third birthday to discuss how to best support the child and family. If the Preschool EI Timeline 1 A referral is made and/or the family requests an evaluation from their Intermediate Unit.
Families who reside in the city of Pittsburgh can contact Pittsburgh Public Schools at 412-529-4000. Families who reside anywhere else within Allegheny County can contact the Allegheny Intermediate Unit at 412-394-5904.
If the child is transitioning to Preschool EI, the team will consider a variety of factors to decide if a review of the previous evaluation/records is appropriate or if a new evaluation needs to be completed. The goal of transition is to have a smooth switch from Infant/Toddler EI to Preschool EI if continued services are needed.
Children ages 3–5 (age of beginners) who meet the following criteria are eligible for early intervention services:
A referral is made and/or the family requests an evaluation from their Intermediate Unit. Families who reside in the city of Pittsburgh can contact Pittsburgh Public Schools at 412-529-4000. Families who reside anywhere else within Allegheny County can contact the Allegheny Intermediate Unit at 412-394-5904.
A screening may be done to see if an evaluation is needed. Before an evaluation or screening is completed, the parent must provide written consent (called “permission to evaluate”).
An an evaluation must occur within 60 calendar days of the parent signing the permission to evaluate (PTE) and typically occurs across multiple days.
If the child is eligible for EI, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) must be developed within 30 calendar days of the completion date of the evaluation. The IEP outlines the child’s current development as well as their services, supports, and goals.
An IEP meeting is held with the IEP team (including parents/guardians, teachers, educational administrators, and related service providers). Services must start within 14 days of the IEP meeting.
