MiAEYC March 25th, 2010

“Don’t Worry. But Don’t Wait.”

Victoria Meeder,Public Awareness Supervisor

& Stefanie Rathburn,

Training & TA Specialist

MiAEYC Annual Early Childhood Conference

March 25th, 201010:45 am - 12 noon

Learning Objectives

1. Learn about Michigan's early intervention system, Early On®

2. How to make referrals3. Red flags of

development

Organizational Structure

OFFICE OF INNOVATIVE PROJECTS

Early On® Training & Technical Assistance– Personnel development for Early On

Pre-Service – Early On Center for Higher Education

Early On Public Awareness– Child find for Infants and Toddlers, (Birth to age 3)

Project Find– Child find for special ed. (0 to 26 yr's.)

What is Early On®

• A statewide system of early intervention services mandated by federal legislation (Part C of IDEA)• Part C = birth to 3 years• Part B = 3 to 21 years

• Designed to help families find the social, health and educational services that will promote the development of their infants and

• toddlers with special needs• Based on partnerships between families and service

providers and on collaboration among community agencies, organizations and private practitioners;

• Emphasizes early identification and early services

Purpose of Part C

• To enhance the development of infants and toddlers;

• To reduce costs to our society;• To maximize the potential of

individuals with disabilities;• To enhance the capacity of

families…;• To enhance the capacity of states…

Structure of Part C in Michigan

United States Congress Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

Michigan InteragencyCoordinating Council (MICC)

MI Dept. of

Comm. Health

MI Dept. of

Human Services

Dept ofPublic Health

Comm.Mental Health

Local Service Areas/ Intermediate School Districts

(57)Early On Coordinators

Local Interagency Coordinating Council (LICC)

Major Grantees:• Qualitative Compliance

Information Project• Early On Training &

Technical Assistance• EO Public Awareness • MI Alliance for Families• MI Compliance Info System

(funded by Part B)

Michigan State Board of Education

Michigan Department of EducationOffice of Early Childhood

Education & Family Services

US Dept of EducationOffice of Special Education Programs

Early On Services Are:

• Strength(s) based• Family Centered• Based on parent/professional

partnerships• Based on interagency

collaboration

Early On is a System of Services

Health Services Physicians

Insurance

Children's Special Health Care

Child Care

Mental Health

Easter Seals

Early Intervention

Services

Health

Dept.

Social Services Early Head Start

Hospitals

Eligibility for Early On Services

• Any infant or toddler with an established condition (i.e., a physical or mental condition likely to lead to a delay)

• Any infant or toddler with a developmental delay• Change in Eligibility Beginning July 2010

• Up to 2 Months of Age Any Delay Will Qualify• 2 to 36 Months of Age 20% Delay Required

Established Conditions

• Chromosomal anomaly/genetic disorders (e.g. Down syndrome)

• Neurological disorders (e.g., cerebral palsy) • Congenital malformations (e.g., heart or cleft lip)• Inborn errors of metabolism• Sensory disorders• Atypical developmental disorders (e.g., autism)• Severe toxic exposure (e.g., alcohol or drug exposed) • Chronic illnesses (e.g., cystic fibrosis) • Severe infectious diseases

Delay in 1 of more of the categories:

• Physical (including hearing and vision)• Gross and Fine Motor Development• Communication Development• Cognitive Development• Social/Emotional Development• Adaptive (self-help)

What is the Early On® timeline?

• Parental Notification– Within 10 days of referral

• Evaluation and Assessment– Within 45 days

• Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)– Within 60 days

• Transition– Up to nine months before exit– Minimum of 90 days before exit

Parent Notification

• When first contact is made to parents, they need to know 3 things1. What is Early On2. Family rights (procedural safeguards)3. A description of the consent that they must give in order

for the child to be evaluated• Consent to evaluate form • Authorization to share form (updated every six

months)• Every family receives at no charge

1. Evaluation and assessment2. Service coordination3. Development of an IFSP

Developmental Evaluation

• Two people (or more) from different professions or disciplines– Consists of 5 parts

• Cognitive Development• Physical Development, including vision and hearing, gross and

fine motor• Communication Development• Social or Emotional Development• Adaptive Development

• Parent input should be considered in all areas

Health Appraisal

• Obtain information about past and current health– Physical Examination

• By doctor, nurse, or nurse practitioner

• Must be conducted within:– 3 months for a child 18 months or under– 6 months for a child over 18 months

Individual Family Service Plan

• The IFSP meeting will include:– Results of the evaluation– Concerns of the parents– Outcomes desired by the parents for their child– Outcomes in natural environments and – daily routines– Supports needed by the family– Early intervention services identified to support the

outcomes

Review of the Plan of Service

• Every Six-Months or sooner a Review of the IFSP outcomes must be evaluated

• At least every 12 months a new IFSP is developed• Up to nine months before a child turns three years of

age a transition planning meeting is held

• Assistive Technology Services

• Audiology Services• Family Training, Counseling

& Home Visits• Nursing Services• Nutrition Services• Occupational Therapy

• Speech Therapy• Physical Therapy• Special Instruction• Social Work• Psychological

Services• Health Services• Service

Coordination• Transportation• Vision Services

Services Provided by Early On

When to Make a Referral

• If an established condition exists, it's best practice to share information about Early On.

• When a parent expresses concern.• When there is an identified red flag about

a child’s development.

Red Flags at 6 Months

• Infant not reaching for objects • Not yet rolling over from stomach to back• Does not make eye contact • Does not laugh or squeal

* (see handout for additional information about typical development and red flags for children birth to 48 months of age)

Red Flags at Twelve Months

• Persistent mouthing of objects • Excessive self-stimulation• Cannot stand when supported • Uses only one side of body • Not transferring objects from one hand

to the other • Not looking for hidden objects • Not using single words • Does not use gestures, e.g., waving,

pointing, or shaking head


• Not walking independently • Walks on tiptoes• Excessive rocking• Withdrawn • Does not respond to simple requests • Little or no social engagement • Does not point or try to indicate wants


• Inability to walk up and down stairs• Any regression of skills • No two word phrases • Persistent poor transitions • Does not show affection • Does not know and point to 5 body

parts

Discussing Potential Referral

• Discuss concern(s) with parent • If they share concern(s), proceed with a referral. If not – what to do?• Provide opportunities to observe similar age

children • Provide information about developmentally

appropriate behaviors • Keep log of identified concern(s) to share with

parents• Remind parent about the benefits of Early On, input

from specific disciplines• Provide an Early On brochure to parent

How to Place a Referral

1. Visit www.1800EarlyOn.org2. Call 1-800-EARLY ON (327-5966)3. Fax 1-517-668-0446 4. Contact your local county Early On directly

1800EarlyOn.org

ProjectFindMichigan.org

Join Early On Michigan On Facebook

Follow Our Twitter Tweets

http://twitter.com/ChildFindMich

Order Public Awareness Products

Brochures & BookmarksDevelopmental

Wheels Growth Charts

Magnets

Thank You for Attending

1-800-EARLY ON 1800EarlyOn.org

1-800-252-0052ProjectFindMichigan.org

1-866-334-KIDSeotta.ccresa.org