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

Professionals – General Information As a medical, educational, or health-care related professional, families look to you for guidance regarding their children’s growth and development. As a professional, you may be the first person a family member comes to with questions about his/her child’s development. On the other hand, you may be the first person to notice a possible delay in an infant or toddler’s development; based on your professional judgment or family concerns, you can refer for ECI services.

Early referral and timely intervention can lead to more positive child and family outcomes. Also, making an early referral is consistent with recommended practices and the Individuals with Disabilities Act Part C regulations. You may make a referral directly to IPP – ECI or information may be given to the family so they may make the referral contact themselves.

You don’t need to wait for a medical diagnosis or confirmed developmental delay to refer. IPP- ECI team members are trained to recognize very early indicators of atypical and delayed development. An interdisciplinary team will conduct a comprehensive evaluation to determine eligibility, at no cost to families. IPP – ECI is there to help!

Who should you refer?

• Any baby with a medical diagnosis that has a high probability of developmental delay
• Any baby born pre-maturely weighing less than 3 ½ pounds
• Any 3 month old baby who cannot visually track objects, grasp rattles or hair, or does not respond to loud noises
• Any 6 month old baby who does not roll over (both ways), sit with minimal support, or babble
• Any 12 month old baby who does not say one to two words, crawl on her hands and knees, or pull herself up to a standing position
• Any 18 month old toddler who cannot step off low objects and maintain her balance, follow simple directions or feed herself
• Any 2 year old child who does not say two- to three-word sentences, identify several body parts, or run short distances without falling

Help Starts Here—Refer a child for developmental evaluation—no diagnosis is necessary