Early Intervention
“Early Intervention”, as it refers to children with disabilities, refers to a program of services for children of school-age or younger who are discovered to have or be at risk of developing a disability or other special need that may affect their development.
Early Intervention services for children ages 0-3 in Utah are provided by Baby Watch under the Utah Department of Health. Baby Watch provides services in compliance with Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act through a network of local provider organizations. Baby Watch provides early identification and developmental services for families of infants and toddlers. Some of the services they offer include:
- A full assessment of a child’s current health and developmental status.
- Service coordination among providers, programs and agencies.
- Strategies to build on family concerns, priorities and resources.
- Developmental services including occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech language therapy.
These services are provided through the coordinated effort of parents, community agencies and a variety of professionals. Places where services are provided include Baby Watch centers (located across Utah), home and community settings such as child care.
Baby Watch Early Intervention
Utah Department of Health
Baby Watch is Utah’s network of services for children ages birth to three with developmental delays or disabilities. Visit their website to find out if your baby needs help and for a list of early intervention providers across the state.
Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSPs)
An Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) is the plan that Early Intervention providers develop with families to guide the delivery of services. IFSPs are based on an in-depth assessment of the child’s needs and the needs and concerns of the family. It contains 1) goals for the child, 2) services the child will receive to help him or her achieve the goals and 3) how the family, with support from professionals, can hep the child reach the goals. Services available through the IFSP are usually provided in the child’s home. Changes in the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), however, state that services are to be provided in the child’s “natural environment”. This could include a child care setting, preschool or other community setting in which young children without disabilities would typically be found.
An IFSP is a document or written plan. The term “IFSP” also refers to the process of determining what services a young child with disabilities needs. It uses an “interagency” approach by involving representatives of several agencies (usually education, health and human services) and other resources that can help the child and family. A “service coordinator” is assigned to assist the child’s family through the IFSP process.
