Infant Parent Program-Early Childhood Intervention
(Child & Family Services Division)

This page links to the following Early Childhood Intervention information:
Contact Information; Definitions; Donations; Employment; Frequently Asked Questions; General Information and Referral; Medical Conditions; Professional Information; Resources; Zip Code Determination

ABCs of ECI Advocate: someone who supports or defends a child's interests and rights. Admission, Review and Dismissal (ARD): a meeting with the public school system when the IEP is written. Assessment: ongoing tests used to identify a child's needs and strengths; family concerns, priorities, and resources; and the type and range of services needed. Child Find: identifying children who might be eligible for ECI services.

Eligibility: requirements a child must meet to receive early intervention services from a Texas ECI program.

Evaluation: determining a child's eligibility by gathering information about the child to see how he or she performs certain tasks.

Family Cost Share: the maximum amount of money a family will pay per month of ECI services.

Family Cost Share Agreement: the form you will be asked to sign that includes the family cost share amount for which you will be responsible.

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): the federal legislation permitting all states to apply for funding to plan and implement early intervention programs.

Individualized Education Plan (IEP): the plan for services in public school education programs that children with disabilities may enter at age 3.

Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP): a written plan for child and family services in the ECI program.

IFSP Team: the team includes at least two professionals from different backgrounds, such as speech therapy or education, who share knowledge of their special areas. They work with you to help plan services for your child and family. The team also includes the parent or guardian, the child’s service coordinator, other family members and/or advocates.

Intake and Screening: when someone from IPP-ECI meets you and your child and you learn more about ECI and talk about what your child might need.

Natural Environments: the places where a child lives, learns and plays.

Outcomes:statements of changes desired for the child and family. The IFSP team determines these outcomes and uses them in the IFSP.

Referral to ECI: a child should be referred to an ECI program as soon as a developmental delay is suspected or a condition that is likely to result in delay is identified.

Service Coordination: helping a child and family access services, providing information about ECI services and finding other services in the community.

Service Coordinator: a person from IPP-ECI who works with a family to support their child’s development and to help arrange for ECI and community services.

Strategies: the methods and activities developed to achieve outcomes. Strategies are included in the IFSP.

Texas Education Agency (TEA): the state agency that oversees the Texas public school system.

Transition: when your child enters or leaves IPP-ECI. All children must leave ECI by age 3, or when no longer eligible.