An Affiliate of Texas Early Childhood
Intervention
| Since 1972, the Infant Parent Program–Early
Childhood Intervention (IPP-ECI) has provided a comprehensive
program of developmental services, therapy and supports to families
in Austin and Travis County. IPP-ECI is committed to quality
and comprehensive services for children aged birth to three
years who are developmentally delayed, or who are at risk for
delay, and their families. Significantly, IPP-ECI knows that
children learn best in their natural environment. That is why
we provide services where the child is—at home with the
family, at childcare and in the community. Our goal is to help
children and families include strategies into their daily routines
to help children achieve goals identified by the family. |
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This page contains 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
Vision Statement
ECI...An investment in babies today for a better Texas tomorrow.
Mission Statement
ECI assures that families with young children with developmental
delays have the resources and support they need to reach their goals.
ECI Supports and Services: Unique
and Comprehensive
- Individualized planning process
- After referral, intake is conducted in the family’s home.
An interdisciplinary team uses comprehensive evaluations and assessments
to determine eligibility and assist in planning needed services.
Healthcare professionals have important information about the
child and are welcome to participate in evaluation and planning.
- If the child is eligible for services, the team develops
an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). IPP-ECI sends
information on the child’s referral disposition to the
primary care physician.
-
- Service Coordination
- All families receive service coordination. Service coordinators
help families access the services they need and coordinate services
across agencies and people.
- Other services may include:
- family education and support;
- audiology and vision services;
- nursing and nutrition services;
- physical, occupational and speech-language therapies;
and
- developmental services.
- Developmental Services
- An interdisciplinary team of professionals provides ECI supports
and services in home and community settings.
- Young children learn best in their own homes and familiar
places. Babies and toddlers learn best in environments that
are natural and familiar to their every day lives.
- Family-centered services support families’ care-giving
and decision-making roles.
- Parents and professionals are partners committed to what
is best for the child and family.
- IPP- ECI teams help families and caregivers:
- learn strategies to promote development;
- incorporate therapeutic intervention activities into daily
life;
- foster and enhance children’s engagement in routine activities
and social interactions;
- monitor child’s progress; and
- support children to fully participate in their communities.
Licensed or credentialed professionals include:
- Speech Language Pathologists;
- Physical and Occupational Therapists;
- Psychologists;
- Registered Nurses;
- Registered Dieticians;
- Social Workers and Counselors; and
- Early Intervention Specialists (EISs). EISs are college graduates
who complete a competency-based, in-service training program to
obtain an EIS credential.
IPP-ECI supports and services are coordinated with medical
and other service providers. IPP-ECI service coordinators:
- Monitor service provision;
- Seek appropriate community services for the child and family;
and
- Coordinate services received from other agencies.
Families may choose to receive services from other agencies
or providers and also receive supports from IPP-ECI. For example,
if a family chooses to have their child receive speech therapy
from a non-ECI provider, such as IPP-ECI, they will still benefit
from having service coordination or other services provided
by IPP-ECI.
Follow Along Services
Children ineligible for comprehensive services, but at risk for
developmental delay, may receive follow along services. Follow-along
services help the family monitor the child’s development and
know when to contact ECI for an evaluation.
Children Over Three Years of Age
If you have concerns about an older child or young adult, age 3
through 21, services are available through local school districts.
Contact the Special Education office
in the child’s school district to make a referral. |
