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Eligibility Determination

To make a referral, please Call SAM Inc., visit SAM Inc.'s Direct Referral Form, or Call the CONNECT Helpline.

Eligibility Qualifications

Any parent, caretaker, educator or medical personnel who have a concern about a child’s development can request an evaluation of the child to determine eligibility for EI services. The Early Intervention program meets with the child and family to complete a multi-disciplinary team evaluation which determines the child’s eligibility for Early Intervention services. Following an eligibility determination, the team develops an IFSP and provides EI services and supports in the child’s natural environment.
 
 Children develop in five primary areas:

  • Physical Development: Ability to move, see, and hear

  • Language and Speech Development: Ability to talk, understand, and express needs

  • Social and Emotional Development: Ability to relate to others

  • Self help (or Adaptive Development): Ability to eat, dress, and take care of oneself

  • Cognitive Development: Ability to think and learn

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Infants and Toddlers are eligible for EI services when the infant/toddler has a:

  • A 25% delay in one or more areas of development (1.5 standard deviation below the mean) in one or more of the five developmental areas: 1) physical development, including hearing and vision; 2) cognitive development; 3) communication development; 4) social and emotional development;  5)adaptive development​

Any parent, caretaker, educator or medical personnel who have a concern about a child’s development can request an evaluation of the child to determine eligibility for EI services. The Early Intervention program meets with the child and family to complete a multi-disciplinary team evaluation which determines the child’s eligibility for Early Intervention services. Following an eligibility determination, the team develops an IFSP and provides EI services and supports in the child’s natural environment.
 
 Children develop in five primary areas:

  • Physical Development: Ability to move, see, and hear

  • Language and Speech Development: Ability to talk, understand, and express needs

  • Social and Emotional Development: Ability to relate to others

  • Self help (or Adaptive Development): Ability to eat, dress, and take care of oneself

  • Cognitive Development: Ability to think and learn

​

Infants and Toddlers are eligible for EI services when the infant/toddler has a:

  • A 25% delay in one or more areas of development (1.5 standard deviation below the mean) in one or more of the five developmental areas: 1) physical development, including hearing and vision; 2) cognitive development; 3) communication development; 4) social and emotional development;  5) adaptive development

OR

  • Diagnosed physical or mental condition which has a high probability of resulting in developmental delay

OR

  • A specialist determines there is a delay even if not indicated on the evaluation (called informed clinical opinion)​

  • There are children who may not meet the eligibility criteria for early intervention services but who may have conditions considered “at risk”. Monitoring can be provided for children who:

    • Low birth weight (under 1,500 grams)

    • Cared for in a hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)

    • Prenatal substance exposure, including alcohol exposure

    • Referred by a county children and youth agency

    • Exposed to lead

    • Experiencing homelessness

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