Early Intervention

What is Early Intervention?

Am I eligible?

Can noncitizens get Early Intervention?

What benefits will I get?

How much does it cost?

How do I apply?

How do I use my benefits?

Useful links

What is Early Intervention?

Early Intervention (EI) is a program to help infants and toddlers who have developmental delays or are at risk for such delays. Early Intervention is for children from birth up to age three. The program serves children with diagnosed disabilities, and children at risk of developmental delays for other reasons.

The goal of the program is to help children as soon as possible, so they can reach their full potential. Getting help early can make a big difference in a child's life. Early Intervention teams work with families of at-risk children to figure out what services are needed and the best way to provide those services.

Family TIES of Massachusetts is the statewide agency in charge of information about local Early Intervention programs. Family TIES also provides support for parents of children with special needs. The Family TIES phone number is 1-800-905-TIES.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health regulates the local Early Intervention programs and handles funding. You can reach the Department's Early Intervention Services at 617-624-5070. Massachusetts is required by law to provide Early Intervention services.

Am I eligible?

Early Intervention services are for children from birth up to age three who:

• are not developing typically for their age
• or have a physical, emotional, or cognitive condition that may cause developmental delays
• or are at risk of developmental delays because of biological or environmental factors

For example, children may be eligible for Early Intervention if they:

• have trouble seeing or hearing 
• have trouble learning to walk or talk or feed themselves 
• have behavior difficulties
• were born prematurely
• have low body weight for their age or height
• have medical conditions or disabilities that affect development
• are homeless, or don't have adequate food, clothing, or shelter 
• have parents with serious medical conditions, or substance abuse or mental health problems
• have experienced domestic violence at home

If you think your child needs Early Intervention services, a team of specialists will do an evaluation to see if your child is eligible. During the evaluation, the team will check your child's:

• cognitive functions (ability to think, remember, and learn)
• fine motor skills (small movements of the hands, fingers, toes, etc.)
• gross motor skills (large movements of the arms, legs, or whole body)
• ability to communicate
• behavioral, social, emotional, and self-help skills

Eligibility for Early Intervention is based on evaluation procedures approved by the Department of Public Health.

Eligibility for Early Intervention services ends:

• when your child turns three
• or if your child no longer meets the developmental delay requirements

Can noncitizens get Early Intervention?

Noncitizens can get Early Intervention services. Early Intervention helps all children who need help, regardless of immigration status. You do not need a Social Security number. Undocumented noncitizens are welcome to apply.

What benefits will I get?

The Early Intervention services that you get depend on your needs and preferences.

Early Intervention specialists will evaluate your child and family situation and make recommendations. Then you and the Early Intervention providers work as a team to develop an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). You can ask other people to be part of the team and help decide which services you and your child will get.

If you are eligible, the plan will start within 45 days of your request for services.

Early Intervention services may include:

• physical or occupational therapy
• speech or language therapy
• psychological services
• social services
• educational services
• nursing care
• behavior modification
• nutritional counseling
• family counseling and home visits
• assistive technology
• other specialty services

Services will be provided in your home, child care center, or other locations where you and your child feel comfortable. Whenever possible, services will be included in your child's normal daily activities.

Transition Services: All Early Intervention programs offer transition planning. Transition planning helps families find other options for their children when they turn three years old and are no longer eligible for services. Transition planning can begin at any time, but definitely by the time the child is 2 ½ years old.

Transportation Services: Children and families in Early Intervention programs can get free transportation for services that are part of their IFSP plan. A parent or caregiver must travel with any child who is under 18 months of age.

How much does it cost?

Early Intervention services are free for many families. Services are always free for children in foster care and children with any type of MassHealth. Services are free for families with incomes below 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG). Most health insurance plans cover Early Intervention services.

There is never a fee for having your child evaluated, developing an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP), having someone coordinate services for your child, or getting help with parents' rights. Families never have to pay a fee until they have signed an IFSP.

Families that do not qualify for free Early Intervention services pay an annual fee based on income.

Annual incomes by family size for 300%, 400%, 550%, and 750% FPG are shown in the table below:

If you cannot pay the fee, you will not be denied services.

How do I apply?

Anyone who has concerns about a child can make a referral for Early Intervention services: a parent, relative, teacher, doctor, friend, or someone else who knows the child. To make a referral, you should call a local Early Intervention program.

All cities and towns in Massachusetts have one or more Early Intervention programs that serve their residents. If more than one program serves your area, you can choose the one you want. You are also allowed to choose a program outside your area. However, most families find it best to choose a program in their community.

To find out which Early Intervention programs serve your area:

• call Family TIES of Massachusetts at 1-800-905-TIES (1-800-905-8437)
• or visit the Family TIES web site: Early Intervention Programs by City

Once you have chosen an Early Intervention program, you should call the program directly to make a referral. When you call, you will need to give this information:

• the child's name, address, and date of birth
• parent's name, address, and phone number
• the child's doctor
• other service providers who are involved in the child's care
• the reason for the referral
• insurance coverage, if any

A team of specialists from the program will do an evaluation of your child and family situation. If the evaluation shows that your child is eligible for services, your Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) will begin within 45 days from the referral date.

How do I use my benefits?

When your child is approved for Early Intervention services, you and the Early Intervention providers will develop an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) together. You can also ask other people you know to help develop the plan. For example, you can include your child's doctor, child care providers, or family friends.

An Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) is a document that describes how the Early Intervention (EI) program will help you and your child.

The IFSP includes:

• information about your child, including evaluation results
• your goals for your child
• what services the EI program will give to your child and family, including :
  • who will provide services
  • how often you will get services
  • where and when you will get services
• the name of your service coordinator
• your rights as a parent

You must sign the IFSP before your child can get services. Before you sign, you should make sure you understand and agree with the plan. You can give permission for some services and refuse other services listed in the plan. If you have questions, ask a staff member at your Early Intervention program, or call Family TIES at 1-800-905-TIES.

Your EI program will review your IFSP every six months and update it at least once a year. However, you can ask for a change in your plan whenever you think it is necessary.

If you need transportation to or from Early Intervention services, ask your EI program for an application. Approval for transportation usually takes about one week.

Useful links

These links are external links to web sites that are not part of MassResources.org. When you click on these links, you will leave our site. Click "Back" on your browser to return.

1. Early Intervention Services
   Information about Early Intervention services and a directory of EI programs from Family TIES of Massachusetts. Includes eligibility information, an Alphabetical List of Early Intervention Programs and a List of Early Intervention Programs by City.

2. Early Intervention
   Official Early Intervention web site, from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Includes:

   • Early Intervention brochure (PDF)
   • Payment information
   • Specialty services
   • Early Intervention Transportation
      

3. Early Intervention Parent Leadership Project
   A web site for parents of children who have received Early Intervention services. Includes basic information about Early Intervention, Individualized Family Service Plan information, transition resources, specialty services, parents' rights, and relevant laws.

Early Intervention section last updated on 6/26/09