TweetShare23PinShare23 SharesA Guide for Families: Early Intervention In Allegheny County Early Intervention programs employ professional, degreed therapists who are expert at helping a child reach their full potential. If a parent or caregiver has concerns, they can request an early intervention evaluation. An evaluation can cover one or more areas of development and will help to determine if your child can benefit from early intervention services. Parents and caregivers may elect to participate in an evaluation to put their mind at ease about the development of their child. If your child qualifies for services, you will acquire strategies and tactics that work with your family’s daily routines, at a time and pace that is appropriate for you. There is no judgement and no predetermined solution, but rather an individualized approach for your child. The Benefits of Early Intervention Early intervention services are important to improving a child’s development, both in how they directly impact the child and how they benefit the family by strengthening and empowering a nurturing environment. There are a number of benefits to receiving early intervention services, including that it: improves and enhances the development of a child with developmental delays, special needs, or other concerns; provides assistance and support to empower families of children with developmental delays, special needs, or other concerns; and lays a foundation that will improve the life of the child and offer greater opportunities. Information via TEIS. Statewide Resources Pennsylvania’s Early Intervention program provides support and services to families with children, from birth to age five, with developmental delays and disabilities. Early intervention builds upon the natural learning opportunities that occur within the daily routines of a child and their family. Early Intervention supports services and resources for children that enhance daily opportunities for learning and are provided in settings where a child would be if they did not have a developmental delay or disability. Additionally, these services and resources provide families with independence and competencies, and respect families’ strengths, values, and diversity. Supports and services are designed to meet the developmental needs of children with a delay or disability, as well as the needs of the family related to enhancing the child’s development in one or more of the following development areas: physical (including vision and hearing); cognitive; communication; social or emotional; and adaptive. Parents who have questions about their child’s development may call the CONNECT Helpline at 1-800-692-7288. The CONNECT Helpline assists families in locating resources and providing information regarding child development for children ages birth to age five. In addition, CONNECT can assist parents by making a direct link to their county Early Intervention program or local pre-k Early Intervention program. If you are unable to connect with your EI program, or you have difficulty starting tele-intervention services, please email the Office of Child Development and Early Learning at ra-ocdintervention@pa.gov. The Pennsylvania Department of Education also provides a digital introduction guide to early intervention in both English and Spanish. Local Resources Families have the right to choose a specific EI provider to provide their child’s ongoing services. Achieva www.achievaearlyintervention.org Allegheny Intermediate Unit www.aiu3.net 412.394.5700 Early Intervention Specialists, Inc. (EIS) www.eiskids.com Early Intervention Technical Assistance Online Learning Portal for Families www.eita-pa.org/families The Alliance for Infants and Toddlers www.afit.org 412.885.6000 The Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh www.amazingkids.org 412.420.2400 The Integrated Care Corporation (The I. Care Corp.) www.integratedcare.us Pittsburgh Public Schools Early Intervention Program www.pghschools.org 412.529.4000 TEIS Early Intervention Provider www.teisinc.com teli | The Early Learning Institute www.telipa.org A PDF of this family guide is available for download. (En Español) TweetShare23PinShare23 Shares
