Why Refer A Child For Early Intervention Services

A referral through Help Me Grow as soon as developmental concerns are identified ensures the best outcomes possible.

All primary referral sources are required to refer an infant or toddler through Help Me Grow as soon as possible but in no case more than seven days after a developmental concerns has been identified. There are also specific requirements for referring a child under the age of three who is the subject of a substantiated case of child abuse or neglect or who is identified as directly affected by illegal substance abuse or withdrawal symptoms resulting from prenatal drug exposure. (CFR 34 §303.303)

Primary referral sources include:

• Hospitals, including prenatal and postnatal care facilities;
• Physicians;
• Parents, including parents of infants and toddlers;
• Child care programs and early learning programs;
• Local Education Agencies and schools;
• Public health facilities;
• Other public health or social service agencies;
• Other clinics and health care providers;
• Public agencies and staff in the child welfare system, including child protective services and foster care;
• Homeless family shelters; and
• Domestic violence shelters and agencies.

Why Intervene Early?

Intervention services are based on your child’s individual needs in order to help your child learn and grow. Accessing intervention services as early as possible will ensure the best developmental outcomes for your child.

• Decades of rigorous research show that children’s earliest experiences play a critical role in brain development.
• High quality early intervention programs for infants and toddlers can reduce the incidence of future problems in their learning, behavior and health.
• Intervention is likely to be more effective and less costly when it is provided earlier in life rather than later.
• High quality intervention services can change a child’s developmental path and some children catch up to the same developmental levels as other children their age.
• Families benefit by being able to better meet their child’s needs from an early age.