Early Intervention

Help Me Grow Early Intervention is a statewide program that helps qualified families connect with services for their child’s needs. Early Intervention (EI) providers assist families by offering strategies, resources, and opportunities to support their child’s development both at home and within the community. For example, EI providers can help your family think about ways to create a language rich environment at home or connect you with professionals for therapy services. Families who have children with disabilities under the age of three may qualify for EI. During these early years, a child’s brain builds important skills for the future. Deaf and hard of hearing children may need extra support with language development during this time. Anyone, including family members, doctors, or others can refer a child to EI if they are concerned about their child’s development.

The referral form can be found on this website: https://ochids.odh.ohio.gov/public/refer

Phone: (800) 755-4769

What Happens After You Contact EI?

1. The Intake Process
   • After a referral is made, your local EI program will contact you to explain the process and the next steps. You will also be assigned an EI Service Coordinator (EISC).
   • Before any services begin, your EISC will meet with your family to gather information, confirm concerns, and get your consent. EI is a voluntary program, meaning you choose whether to participate.
   • Once you choose to be involved and provide consent, the EISC will guide you through qualification and assessments.
   • If your child has a diagnosed hearing loss, they automatically qualify for EI. If not, the EI team can help get you connected to a hearing screener or make an appointment with an audiologist. They can also help to determine if a delay is caused by something other than hearing loss. This process involves gathering information from multiple sources, including:
     • Your input as a parent/caregiver
     • Standard assessment tools
     • Observations of your child
     • Medical records review
     • Child and family assessments
2. Assessments
   • Next, your EI provider conducts assessments to better understand your child's needs and how to support your family.
   • The child assessment looks at daily activities, routines, and overall development.
   • The family-directed assessment (optional) gathers information about your family's needs, priorities, and available resources.
   • The assessment results will help create an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) to guide your child's development.
3. Create an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)
   • An IFSP is a plan created by you and your EI team based on the assessment results, and your family's goals.
   • The IFSP focuses on goals that matter to your family and daily life.
   • Goals are written in your own words and focus on what your child and family want to achieve.
   • The plan also outlines services, including when, where, and how they will be provided.
   • Once completed and signed, the IFSP is reviewed at least every six months at a time and place that works for you. You will receive a copy of the IFSP from your service coordinator.
4. Services in Action
   • After the IFSP is in place, EI services will begin.

What Do EI Services Cost?

• The first 100 hours of services in an IFSP year are free for families.
• If more than 100 hours are needed, your service coordinator will help determine costs and explore ways to cover them (such as health insurance or Medicaid).

This video from the Department of Children and Youth walks you through what to expect in Early Intervention.

Alternative Options

There are other programs and interventions available. In general, interventions are strategies and supports received through services and are designed to help your child learn and grow. Individualized intervention services can be received outside of an official federal or state program. For example, a speech therapist or a sign language instructor may be found in hospitals, clinics, private practices, or community agencies. The right intervention supports is whatever works best for you, your family, and child.