How do I contact Early Intervention / Early Supports & Services?
Anyone who has a concern about a child’s development can make a referral to ESS, including, and especially, you, the parent. If someone other than you makes the referral, you will be notified that a referral has been made and will be asked for consent to proceed before any evaluations are done or services provided.
If you think that your child and family may be eligible, then you should make a referral to the ESS Intake Coordinator at your Area Agency. Local Area Agencies are responsible for providing ESS services. Sometimes as parents we are unsure of whether or not we should make a referral or if there “really is a concern”. Parents should feel comfortable in trusting their instincts and just as comfortable contacting ESS to help in better understanding their child’s developmental needs.
Once a referral has been made (once the phone call has been received by the Area Agency), ESS has 45 days to complete an evaluation, determine eligibility and, if your child is eligible, develop an Individualized Family Support Plan (IFSP).
You can find the contact information for your local Area Agency in the list on the right.
What happens after a referral to ESS is made?
The Parent Information Center on Special Education is funded in part or
whole by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education
Programs Grant No. H328M100016. The contents of the website, however, and
any documents cited herein do not necessarily reflect the views or polices
of the U.S Department of Education.