Early Intervention
Guiding parents to help children reach their potential
Each year, thousands of infants and toddlers are diagnosed with a disability, and many more have not yet reached age appropriate milestones, such as walking and talking. Early intervention programs are designed to guide parents as they help their children reach their potential.
With seven programs offering services in twenty counties (Baldwin, Butler, Choctaw, Clarke, Coffee, Conecuh, Covington, Crenshaw, Elmore, Escambia, Geneva, Henry, Houston, Lee, Mobile, Monroe, Montgomery, Pike, Russell and Washington), UCP of Mobile is one of Alabama’s largest providers of Early Intervention (EI) Services.
Children enter UCP of Mobile’s EI Programs in several different ways. Some are referred by their pediatrician or other medical professional; some use the Child Find hotline (1-800-543-3098), and others come straight to UCP of Mobile.
The first step for every child will be to determine eligibility. To be eligible for EI services in Alabama, a child must have at least a 25% delay in one or more of the following areas: Cognitive Skills, Social or Emotional Skills, Gross Motor Skills, Fine Motor Skills, and/or Communication/Language Skills. UCP of Mobile can provide a cost-free evaluation in your home—simply call your local office for an appointment. One can also be eligible with a documented, qualifying diagnosis.
Once a child is enrolled in a program, his/her parents work with professionals to create an Individualized Family Service Plan. This plan guides the activities that will help a child develop to his/her fullest potential. It will include a description of the child’s needs and strengths, a description of the child’s family, desired outcomes for the child, the names of the service providers who will work with the child, and other information.
Based on the IFSP and as determined necessary through the process of evaluation, up to 16 different services can be provided to meet a child’s needs. Those services include:
Assistive Technology
Audiology
Family Training/Counseling
Health Services
Medical Services
Nursing Services
Nutrition Services
Transportation and Related Costs
Physical Therapy
Psychological Services
Service Coordination
Social Work Services
Special Instruction
Speech Language Pathology
Vision Services
Occupational Therapy
When appropriate, UCP of Mobile helps families to find qualified assistance in these areas. The agency’s professional staff includes special instructors, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech/language pathologists, and service coordinators.
For more information about Early Intervention Services, please contact UCP of Mobile at (251) 479-4900 or email Christine Smith, Director of Early Intervention.