Families
When Does a Child Need Early Intervention?
Children develop at different paces, but there are developmental milestones that children should reach by certain times during the first three years of their lives. When children fail to reach these milestones, parents and other caregivers should consider contacting Early Intervention for an evaluation. If you suspect that an infant or toddler may be experiencing developmental delays, contact Early Intervention Services at 888-653-4463. The call is toll-free for New Jersey residents.
Knowing When to Call
Babies develop at their own pace, so it’s impossible to tell exactly when a child will learn a given skill. The developmental milestones listed in NJ Early Intervention pamphlet, “Your Child’s Development,” provide a general idea of the changes to expect, but don’t be alarmed if a child’s development takes a slightly different course.
View or Download Your Child’s Development
What Do Early Intervention Services Do?
Early intervention services are designed to address a problem or delay in development as early as possible. The services are available for infants and toddlers up to age three. Contracted agencies serve as the Early Intervention Program providers (EIPs) and arrange for early intervention practitioners to address the needs of eligible children and their families. Following the evaluation and assessment, an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) is developed to describe the services that are needed by the child and family and how they will be implemented. Services are provided by qualified practitioners in natural environments, settings in which children without special needs ordinarily participate and that are most comfortable and convenient for the family, such as the home, a community agency, or a child care facility.
View or Download:
- Early Intervention Services in New Jersey: Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
- hyperlink: http://www.nj.gov/health/fhs/eis/documents/njeis_faq.pdf)
- Theranorth Services Handbook for Families
- (need to upload this doc and attach hyperlink to the text above)