What is early intervention?     Who’s eligible?      What is a developmental delay?   Concerns about baby or toddler development?  Evaluation and assessment process    Writing the IFSP    Timeframes    Who pays for the services?

When the early intervention system receives a referral about a child with a suspected disability or developmental delay, a time clock starts running. Within 45 days, the early intervention system must complete the critical steps discussed thus far:

• screening (if used in the state),
• initial evaluation of the child,
• initial assessments of the child and family, and
• writing the IFSP (if the child has been found eligible).

That’s a tall order, but important, given how quickly children grow and change. When a baby or toddler has developmental issues, they need to be addressed as soon as possible. So—45 days, that’s the timeframe from referral to completion of the IFSP for an eligible child.

Information taken from the Center of Parent Information and Resources  Updated, March 2014 A legacy resource from NICHCY