Infant/Toddler Early Intervention Services for Children Birth to 3 Years

What is Early Intervention?

Early Intervention (EI) helps identify a child’s developmental needs and understand your goals for your child. EI provides services and support in your home or in your child‑care setting.

What are the possible services?

Services are based on your child’s evaluation results and eligibility. They may include:

• Physical therapy

• Occupational therapy

• Speech therapy

• Special/developmental instruction

• Feeding therapy

• Nutrition services

• Hearing therapy

• Vision therapy

• Behavioral consultation and therapy

• Social work services

How do I find Early Intervention?

• Pennsylvania: Call CONNECT at 1-800-692-7288 to find an EI provider near you.

• Philadelphia: Infants and Toddlers Early Intervention at 215-685-4646 (for children under 2 years 10 months)

• New Jersey: Early Intervention at 1-888-653-4463

• Delaware: Child Development Watch

  • New Castle County: 1-800-671-0050

  • Kent/Sussex County: 1-800-752-9393

• Maryland: Infants and Toddlers Program at 1-800-535-0182

• New York: Early Intervention at 1-800-522-5006

If you prefer, a healthcare provider or developmental specialist can make the first call for you. If your child is in the hospital, the call should be made as close as possible to the time you plan to take your child home.

Next steps:

• A service coordinator will contact you: They will talk with you about your concerns and set up a time to meet with you and your child.

• Your child may have a Multi‑Disciplinary Evaluation (MDE): EI staff will evaluate your child. This can take place at home, in child care, or virtually. Learning, language, motor, and social‑emotional development skills are assessed. If your child needs help, services will begin.

• A plan may be created if your child is eligible: An Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) will be written with you. The IFSP lists your child’s goals and the therapies that will help them reach these goals. You can choose whether services occur in your home or in another setting.

Working with your therapist

• Your therapist should be a good fit for you and your child. If not, ask your service coordinator for a new therapist.

• You should always understand the goals your therapist is working on.

• Your therapist should give you activities to practice with your child between sessions. These activities are how the real changes happen for your child!

How long does Early Intervention last?

A new IFSP is written every year. Goals may change, or your child may graduate from services.

When your child turns 2½ years old, EI will schedule a transition planning meeting no later than 90 days before your child’s third birthday to help you move to preschool services if needed. Your county or school district provides these services.

What if I disagree with the services offered?

You can:

• Talk with your service coordinator

• Ask questions about your child’s evaluation, goals, or services

• Ask whether the IFSP should be reviewed or updated

• Talk with the social worker or healthcare provider at your primary care site

If you have tried to work with your EI providers and service coordinator, but your child’s needs are still not being met, each state has an educational law center that can help.

• Office of Child Development and Early Learning: 717-346-9320

• Education Law Center–PA: 215-238-6970

• Education Law Center–NJ: 973-624-1815

Reviewed March 2026 by Sherita Williams, MS, PHMA; Casey Hoffman, PhD