Eligibility For Early Intervention Services
While all children grow and change at their own rate, some children experience delays in their development. The five primary developmental areas are:
- ability to move, see, and hear physical development,
- ability to talk and express needs language and speech development,
- ability to relate to others social and emotional development,
- ability to eat, dress, and take care of oneself self help or adaptive development,
- ability to think and learn cognitive development.
Child residents of Chester County age birth to three are eligible if they have significant delay in one or more areas of development; a specialist’s determination that there is a delay not measured by available assessments, and the delay results in functional limitations of the child’s daily activity; known physical or mental conditions which have a high probability for developmental delays eligible for services.
Children not eligible for Early Intervention still may be eligible for follow-up screening and tracking. Children eligible for tracking are:
- birth weight under 1500 grams (approximately 3 ½ pounds) ,
- cared for in neonatal intensive care units,
- born to chemically dependent mothers,
- seriously abused or neglected (substantiated),
- confirmed to have dangerous levels of lead poisoning.
The Early Intervention Unit is the first place to contact for supports. Families may be referred by a hospital, physician, specialist, or caregiver. Families also may contact the program themselves. To inquire about Early Intervention supports contact:
Chester County Early Intervention Unit
610-344-5948
1-800-692-1100 extension 5948
Chester County Government Services Center
601 Westtown Road, Suite 240
P. O. Box 2747
West Chester, PA 19380-0990
