Early Intervention Colorado

The mission and key principles for providing Early Intervention (EI) services are the foundation of how EI services are organized and delivered. They are intended to help all program staff gain insight and work in partnership with the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) team members participating in the process. The key principles and foundational pillars are the best way to learn what Early Intervention is.

Mission. Part C early intervention builds upon and provides supports and resources to assist family members, caregivers, and parents in enhancing children’s learning and development through everyday learning opportunities.

Key Principles. Seven principles guide EI services.

1. Infants and toddlers learn best through everyday experiences and interactions with familiar people in familiar contexts.
    
2. All families, with the necessary supports and resources, can enhance their children’s learning and development.
    
3. The primary role of a service provider in early intervention is to work with and support family members, caregivers, and parents in children’s lives.
    
4. The early intervention process, from initial contacts through transition, must be dynamic and individualized to reflect the child’s and family members’ preferences, learning styles, and cultural beliefs.
    
5. IFSP outcomes must be functional and based on children’s and families’ needs and family-identified priorities.
    
6. The family’s priorities, needs, and interests are addressed most appropriately by a primary provider who represents and receives team and community support.
    
7. Interventions with young children and family members must be based on explicit principles, validated practices, best available research, and relevant laws and regulations.

Families involved with the EI Colorado program have rights and procedural safeguards under the federal law to protect them. Families must be informed of these rights and procedural safeguards throughout their time in the EI Colorado program so they can play an active role in the EI services provided to their family. Your service coordinator is responsible for ensuring you are informed of these rights and receive documentation about them.

Step 1. Learn about Early Intervention

The Early Intervention (EI) Colorado program provides developmental supports and services to children and their families from birth through two years of age (up to the child’s third birthday) who have developmental needs. EI Colorado can help improve your child’s ability to develop and learn. The program can also help you and your family learn ways to support and promote your child’s development within your family’s daily activities and community life.

Each family referred to the EI Colorado program will be assigned a service coordinator within three business days of the referral being made. A service coordinator works with you throughout your child’s involvement with the EI Colorado program, assists you in accessing services, and informs you of your legal rights. A service coordinator is your main point of contact and is an important part of the EI process.

EI Colorado does not charge family fees, and services are provided at no cost to families who participate in the program. There are no income requirements to participate in the EI Colorado program.

Once your child is eligible for EI Colorado and an IFSP is developed, your service coordinator will work with you to discuss funding options and ensure that the services listed on the IFSP are provided to your family.

Step 2. Referral and Eligibility

If you or anyone who knows your child has concerns about your child’s development, Early Intervention (EI) services may help. You may request a no-cost evaluation and/or assessment at any time to help answer your questions about your child’s development.

Community Centered Boards (CCBs) are local agencies throughout Colorado that are responsible for implementing the local EI Colorado program and processing referrals for EI services.

Call 1-888-777-4041 to contact a CCB or contact your local CCB to make a referral. You may also use the referral form. If you are moving or need to contact an early intervention program outside of Colorado, you can find other state contacts here.

Within seven days of the referral date, you will be contacted by a service coordinator who will discuss with you the next steps, which may include scheduling an evaluation and/or assessment. Information gathered from the evaluation and the intake process will be used to determine your child’s eligibility. Unless you request a later date, the evaluation and/or assessment, and initial Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) for eligible children, must be completed within 45 days of the referral date. You must provide written permission before any evaluation of your child occurs.

Your child and family may receive EI services if your child is determined to have a significant delay in one or more areas of development, has been diagnosed with a condition that will likely result in a significant delay in development, or is living with a parent with a developmental disability as determined by the CCB. EI Colorado works with a panel of physicians to establish physical or mental conditions that have a high probability of resulting in a significant level of developmental delay. EI Colorado maintains the database of all diagnosed conditions.

If your child is not eligible for EI services, your service coordinator can connect you with additional community resources at your request. If concerns or needs arise in the future, you may re-refer your child to the early intervention program at any time until your child’s third birthday. You can view state and national resources as well as information on development in this brochure: Staying on Track.

If you disagree with the results of the eligibility evaluation, you may contact your service coordinator and request a dispute resolution process.

If your child is eligible for EI services, a meeting will be held to conduct a family assessment and develop the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). This meeting may be conducted on the same day as the eligibility determination or at a later time. During this meeting, the service provider will gather information about how your child is functioning in everyday routines, learn about your family’s daily activities, and identify what your family’s concerns and priorities are. This discussion will result in a plan that includes information on how your child relates to others, uses their skills, and gets their needs met, and what your family would like to see happen for them during their time in EI.

The evaluation, family assessment meeting, and IFSP development should occur within 45 days from the date the referral was made.

Step 3. Early Intervention Services

Once your child has been determined eligible for Early Intervention (EI) services and your service coordinator has conducted a Family Assessment, the next step is to develop an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP).

The IFSP is your family’s written plan for services. This document lists the EI services your child needs to develop and learn and/or the services your family needs to support your child’s development. IFSP outcomes will be functional and based on your concerns and priorities.

EI services are not intended to be the sole source of support for your family. Your service coordinator will identify the resources you are currently accessing or would like to be connected with. These supports will be identified on your IFSP and may be the key to help your family reach the outcomes listed, or you may receive support from your own family and friends. Medical care and other services your child needs that are provided by specialists outside of the EI Colorado program will also be written on the IFSP, but it is important to note that these specific services are not provided by EI.

View an example of EI services in action.

Your service coordinator will always get your consent before services begin, or if there is a change in services. Services are required to start within 28 days from the time you give your consent unless you request a later date.

Your IFSP will be reviewed at least every six months and can be reviewed earlier if you request. During the IFSP review, the EI team will review your child and family’s individual outcomes as well as look at your child’s progress compared to peers of the same age. The IFSP will be rewritten on an annual basis and your child will be reassessed on an ongoing basis. The IFSP meeting must be held at times and locations that are convenient for your family. You will be an active team member and key decision-maker throughout the planning and implementation process.

This process will continue until it has been determined that your child no longer needs EI services to continue making developmental progress, if you choose to exit from services, or when your child turns three and transitions out of EI services.

Step 4. Transition Planning

If your child is still involved in the Early Intervention (EI) program as they approach their third birthday, you will begin planning steps for their transition out of the EI program. This process can begin as soon as your child turns two years and three months old. At this time, your service coordinator will schedule an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) meeting during which time you and members of your IFSP team will develop a transition plan as part of your child’s IFSP. The transition plan will document the steps and services to support a smooth transition when your child reaches the age of three. The transition plan must be completed by the time your child reaches two years and nine months of age.

If your child has not met all IFSP outcomes and is demonstrating a developmental delay, the child is considered potentially eligible for preschool special education services and the child’s information will be shared with your local school district unless you have chosen to opt out of this notification. Your service coordinator will discuss other options for your child if you choose to not pursue preschool special education services. Other options may include private therapy sessions, other community or faith-based preschools, Head Start, or other programs in your community that will support the ongoing development of your child.

If your child is eligible for preschool special education services, a representative from the school district will be required to participate in a transition conference. You may invite anyone you wish to attend such as your child care provider(s), relative(s), or other professionals working with your child and family. This conference must occur by the time your child reaches two years and nine months of age.

Several resources are available to Colorado parents on EI Colorado services including:

• Parent Videos in English
• Parent Videos with Spanish Subtitles
• Public Awareness Materials on EI
• Colorado Early Learning and Development Guidelines. Colorado Early Learning and Development Guidelines describe the path of children's learning and development from birth to eight years old. The Guidelines are based on research and bring together widely accepted strategies to help children develop successfully. They are a helpful resource whether you're a first-time parent or caregiver or an experienced professional. The Guidelines describe childrens' abilities at certain ages and offer tips for how adults can help develop and support those abilities.
• State and National Resources