General Information

Eligibility
Child Find
Evaluation and Assessment for Young Children
Services, Supports and Resource Access for Eligible Families
Individualized Family Service Plan for Eligible Families
Child and Family Rights for Eligible Families

Eligibility

Infants and toddlers from birth through age 2 are eligible to receive appropriate services if they are delayed by 25 percent or more in their cognitive, physical, communicative, social, emotional or adaptive development, or if they have a diagnosis of a physical and/or medical condition that will likely result in developmental delay.^ return to top ^

Child Find

Potentially eligible infants and toddlers may be identified through general observations used by professionals, providers, family members, and concerned citizens. These individuals may call the toll-free Early Intervention Child Find number, 1-800-543-3098 (or TTY 1-800-499-1816), when they have specific concerns about a child's development. Children also may be referred who have a diagnosis with a high probability of causing developmental delay.^ return to top ^

Evaluation and Assessment for Young Children

Each infant or toddler referred to Child Find is evaluated by appropriate qualified providers. The evaluation determines each child's eligibility. Once eligibility is determined, the specific service needs of the child and family are assessed, and an appropriate plan is developed with the family and involved service providers.^ return to top ^

Services, Supports and Resource Access for Eligible Families

Alabama's Early Intervention System is accessible to all eligible infants and toddlers and their families in natural settings chosen by the Individualized Family Service Plan ( IFSP ) team, including the family as an active team member. Services for eligible infants and toddlers and their families include:

assistive technology devices and services
audiology
family training
counseling and home visits
health services (that are not purely medical or surgical in nature)
medical services (for diagnosis or evaluation only)
nursing
nutrition
occupational therapy
physical therapy
psychological services
service coordination
social work and special instruction
speech/language pathology services
transportation-related costs
vision services ^ return to top ^

Efforts are made by the service coordinator and other members of the planning team to access appropriate community resources that will assist with the inclusion of the child and family in community life.

Individualized Family Service Plan for Eligible Families

Each eligible child and family must have a written plan that describes the resources, services, and goals for the child and family. The plan must be developed within 45 days of referral for services for the eligible child and must be developed in cooperation with a team which includes the family, an identified service coordinator, providers, and community resource individuals as appropriate. ^ return to top ^

Child and Family Rights for Eligible Families

The rights of children and families eligible for Alabama’s Early Intervention System are protected under certain regulations and procedures, and include parental consent, complaint procedures, confidentiality, sharing of records and due process procedures. Parents with questions or concerns about their early intervention experience may contact Kim Hill , assistant early intervention coordinator. Kim may be reached at 334-293-7088.^ return to top ^

Search