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How Can Our Family Receive Infant-Toddler Program Services?

Who Do I Contact?

If you, or a doctor, or another care provider feels that your child under three may qualify for Infant-Toddler Program services, a contact can be made to the local mental health agency, health department or the Developmental Evaluation Center that serves the community. Local telephone numbers for these agencies can be found in your telephone book or obtained from the Family Support Network.

These types of agencies form a group often called the Consortium. In many cases, the Consortium includes a parent of a child with special needs as a member. Also, the parents of the children referred have opportunities to take part in the discussions. The Consortium agencies work together and share referral information so that children and families can get services quickly and without confusion or duplication.

What Does The Consortium Do?

The Consortium looks at all referrals to the Infant-Toddler Program and

• explains the Infant-Toddler Program to you and gets your permission to see if your child is eligible,
• makes sure that someone will help you with your referral and with the process of seeing if your child is eligible (This may be a Child Service Coordinator.),
• plans a multidisciplinary evaluation to address your family’s concerns, to see how your child is developing, and, if needed, to gather information to help decide if your child is eligible,
• makes sure that these evaluations are completed,
• determines if your child is eligible for the Infant-Toddler Program, and
• works with your family to select a Child Service Coordinator to help you if your child is eligible. The Child Service Coordinator works with your family and other involved agencies to develop a service plan called an IFSP.

If your child is not eligible for the Infant-Toddler Program, the Consortium will suggest other resources that might help you.

You can make another referral to the Infant-Toddler Program, at any time before your child turns age three, if you continue to have concerns about your child.

You have the right to object to the decision of the Consortium and to have the decision reviewed.

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