Early Intervention (Birth to Age 3)

If you have a concern, call 763-504-4160 or go to helpmegrowmn.org to make a referral, and you will be contacted to discuss your concerns and determine next steps. 

After a referral is submitted, someone from the school district will contact you to decide together if you’ll move forward with a screening or evaluation.

Screening: EI team members can come to your home to observe you and your child to complete a questionnaire to determine if an evaluation is needed.

Evaluation: EI team members can come to your home to observe you and your child and complete an evaluation to determine eligibility.

Children are eligible for this program when:

• There is a risk for developmental delays due to a medical diagnosis
• A developmental delay is identified through the evaluation

Every child and family is paired with an Early Interventionist to serve as their Primary Service Provider. The frequency of visits will be decided on by you and your Early Intervention team. The focus of EI is on promoting positive outcomes for the “whole” child and family rather than looking at specific developmental skills. You will create a plan called an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) that lists the goals you have for your child and family and the EI services you’ll receive. 

Infants and toddlers learn best with familiar people in familiar places. You are your child’s best teacher, and they can learn from anything you do with them during the day.  Visits will take place where your child spends their day; this could be your home, childcare, or other places in your community.  The Early Intervention providers use a coaching approach to help you learn and use strategies that support your child’s learning in everyday routines.  Your strengths and priorities as a family guide intervention services.