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What is Early Intervention?
Early Intervention, or EI, is a statewide system that provides support and resources for family members and caregivers as they enhance children’s development through everyday learning opportunities.
Stark DD provides services to the young children in our County, in partnership with Stark County Early Intervention (formerly Help Me Grow), and all 17 of our local school districts. Early Intervention services are available to families whose children have been deemed eligible. Ohio Early Intervention Website
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What do I do if I'm concerned about my child's development?
Every child is unique and develops at their own pace, but there are general milestones that can help you understand your child’s development.
In this section, we have included a resource that has free developmental screening tools that you can complete in the comfort of your own home.
Always talk to your child’s doctor about your concerns, and it is important to remember that the screening tool resources included here do not determine a diagnosis or delay.
If you are concerned about your child’s development, you can utilize these free developmental screening tools on your own:
Ohio Early Intervention Developmental Screening Tools
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How do I make a referral for EI Services?
Anyone can make a referral for Early Intervention services. To speak with someone directly about your concerns, you can call Ohio Early Intervention at 1-800-755-4769.
You can also submit a simple online referral form, and Ohio Early Intervention will set up a time to speak with you that works with your schedule. Online Referral Form
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What can I expect after submitting a referral for EI Services?
After referral, Ohio Early Intervention will assign a local Service Coordinator (SC) to your family, who will present your child’s case to our Stark County Early Intervention Team.
The EI Team will work with you and your family to conduct an Initial Evaluation and Assessment, which will determine what services will help your child reach their highest potential.
Based on results, the Team will work to develop an Individualized Family Service Plan, or IFSP.
The team that will make up your EI Team includes the following professionals:
- Service Coordinator
- Developmental Specialists
- Physical Therapists
- Occupational Therapists
- Speech and Language Pathologists
- Registered Dietician
- Early Intervention Assistants
- Hearing Specialist
- Sight Specialist
- Behavior Specialist
- Stark County Service Coordinator Supervisor
- Stark DD Early Childhood Supervisor.
Based upon your expressed concerns for your child, one of these team members will be chosen to be the Primary Service Provider (PSP) for your family.
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What is an IFSP?
An IFSP, which stands for Individualized Family Service Plan, is the formalized plan for your child’s EI services. The IFSP includes your concerns, a summary of your child’s developmental assessment results, the outcomes that you set for your child and your family, and a listing of the EI services necessary that will help to reach the desired outcomes you’ve set. The IFSP will be used to guide services, and will also track your child’s progress.
An IFSP meeting will be arranged by your Service Coordinator. You are encouraged to include family members, friends and other significant individuals in the writing of this plan, as you will set goals and desired outcomes, along with details of your concerns. The development of your child’s IFSP is geared to include family members as the IFSP will include your own words, and will incorporate interventions into your everyday life in the child’s natural environments.
This video will provide you with some insight as to what you can expect in the IFSP process:
Your EI Team will provide services to address your child’s overall development, communication, feeding, sensory needs, behavior, as well as fine and gross motor skills.
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Early Intervention Playgroups - Connect with other families in your community!
Stark DD’s EI Program recognizes that providing opportunities for small children to socialize and interact with their peers is an important part of every child’s development.
Children are encouraged to participate in their own way at playgroup. Whether your child prefers to be up and moving around, watching the other children or even just listening to what is going on, they are still participating in a way that is comfortable for them.
EI Releases a monthly newsletter that has the locations where playgroups will be held, amongst other important information.
Check out our most recent Stark DD EI Newsletter where you can find information on playgroups, activities to do at home, and more!
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"What's Next?" Transitioning to Preschool, and what to expect.
Children are only eligible for Early Intervention services through age 2, which means it’s time to consider your preschool options once your child turns 3 years-old.
If your child was enrolled in Early Intervention, school districts will evaluate and determine eligibility beginning at 2 1/2 years of age for special needs preschool services.
Children will transfer from having an IFSP in Early Intervention, to an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) once they turn 3.
An Individual Education Plan (IEP) is the legal document that defines a child’s special education plan.
An IEP includes the disability under which the child qualifies for special education services, the services the team has determined the school will provide, the child’s yearly goals and objectives and any accommodations that must be made to assist their learning.
These accommodations can include Occupational Therapy (OT), Speech Therapy (SLP), and assistive technology.
Stark DD’s Preschool Programs offer full day programs Monday through Thursday. Classes are held at Eastgate Early Childhood & Family Center, as well as satellite locations within local school district buildings.
An IEP must be in place by the child’s third birthday so the child may move directly into preschool if the parents wish.
You can learn more about Stark DD’s Preschool Programs here.
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Stark DD Services Beyond Early Intervention
Two of the services that families can access are Family Support Services (FSS) and Service and Support Administration (SSA).
Family Support Services provides assistance to families to assist with supporting loved ones/children who are in the family home through funding items such as medical supplies, camps, recreation, counseling or respite, etc.
The Service and Support Administration can advocate and connect families to community resources.
Email Stark DD: StarkFSS@Starkdd.org
Visit our website here: Stark DD Website
Or call our main switchboard at (330) 479-5200, and you will be put into contact with someone who can help.
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Resources beyond Stark DD
In today’s day and age, there are many resources available online for families that can help navigate through different circumstances, or simply provide information.
See the “Links” tab in this section that includes valuable resources for families.
Stark County State Support Team 9
Autism Society of Greater Akron
Birth to 3
Birth to 3 Years
This is a critical time to get connected with resources and begin accessing services for which your child might be eligible. This section of the Stark DD Navigation Tool will provide you with insight on how to help your child reach their highest potential.