Make A Referral

What is Early Intervention?

Babies and toddlers learn and grow in different ways. Some need a little extra help.

This is where Early Intervention comes in. Working with our community partners, we provide many different services to support kids from birth to age three -- at no cost to parents. We help children develop:

• Physical skills like crawling, walking, reaching and drawing.
• Thinking skills like learning and solving problems.
• Communication skills like talking, listening and understanding.
• Doing things on their own, like eating or getting dressed.
• Social and emotional skills, like making friends and playing with others.

If you think your child needs additional support in any of these childhood development areas, Early Intervention might be right for your family.

How do I get started?

The first step is a referral. You can refer your own child to us, or a health care or child care professional can do it with your permission. After that, we will contact you to learn more about your child’s needs.

Here are some great resources to help you understand the entire Early Intervention enrollment process:

• A Parents Basic Guide to the Early Intervention Program (English)
• Access "A Parents Basic Guide to the Early Intervention Program" in other languages
• Early Intervention Steps Chart (PDF)

If you are ready, you can make a referral here. If you have any questions, please call us at (585) 753-KIDS or (585) 753-5437.

What to Expect

Watch the videos below to learn more about the steps of our Early Intervention Program.

• What Is Early Intervention – Helping babies and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities grow.
• The Referral Process – You or your child's health care provider can refer your child to the Early Intervention Program if there is a concern about your child's development.
• The Initial Home Visit (IHV) – The first time we visit your home we will get to know you and you will have the opportunity to share concerns about your child.
• Your Child's Evaluation – A team of qualified professionals will assess your child's strengths, needs, and current level of functioning in all areas of development.
• Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) – A written plan that will be specific for your family that outlines and explains the Early Intervention services that your child will receive. 
• Early Intervention Services – We offer a variety of services to help your child grow, including speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, social work, special education, and more.
• Transition to Preschool Special Education – We will help determine the next best steps for you and your child.