When a baby is born, every parent hopes that he/she will have a healthy baby. Sometimes however, things don't go as planned. The baby may be ill or may seem slow in doing things such as smiling, sitting up, or speaking.
If you have a concern about a baby's health or development, Early On serves infants and toddlers from birth to 36 months with developmental delay or conditions that could lead to such delay. It has been well established that early intervention is an effective way to prevent or reduce problems for children at a later age.
Early On Michigan is mandated by Part C of the Federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 1997. Early On Michigan provides a statewide system of coordinated, early identification and intervention services to families with infants and toddlers who have special needs. The Michigan Department of Education, Department of Community Health and the Family Independence Agency are participating agencies in Early On.
Early On includes a range of services to help children from birth through age two who have special needs. Early On includes all the programs and services in a community, both public and private, that help families promote the development of their infant or toddler. Parents and agencies work together to find and provide needed services within their local communities. Early On is based on a collaboration among providers of services and on partnerships with families.
Children from birth up to the age of three can be eligible to receive Early On Services if they have an established condition (physical, health or mental) that will likely lead to a developmental delay or a developmental delay of any degree in one or more of the following areas: Physical, learning, social/emotional, communication or self-help. Early intervention services for an eligible child and family are designed to meet the developmental needs of the child and the needs of the family in relation to enhancing the development of their child. Services are selected in collaboration with and consent from parents. Services are provided at little or no cost to the family. The services a family and child are to receive are documented through the development of an "Individualized Family Service Plan" or IFSP, which is reviewed and revised once every six months. Early On services are family-centered, strength-based, multidisciplinary and interagency focused.
To view the Washtenaw Individualized Family Service Plan click on the following:
Early On® Washtenaw Coordinated Individual Family Service Plan
The following types of services can be available through Early On and the various agencies participating in early intervention services. Many of these services are free, some are on a sliding scale and others are on a fee-for-service basis.
- audiology
- speech/language
- therapy
- social work services
- service coordination
- occupational therapy
- special instruction
- family training
- physical therapy
- diagnostic services
- home visits
- vision services
- health services
- assistive technology
- development of the IFSP
- nursing services
Early On Helps Families:
- see their child's strengths
- find and use informal supports
- locate needed resources and services in the community
- coordinate services through one plan
- learn to advocate for their child
Early On Helps Agencies/Hospitals/Schools:
- reduce duplication and fragmentation of assessments and services
- use existing resources more efficiently
- identify and address gaps in services
- link families with services more quickly
- work together better and support each other's work
In Washtenaw County
Families may find out more about Early On by calling any of the numbers listed below:
Dr. Marianne Miller
Early On Referrals
Interim Supervisor/Coordinator
Washtenaw ISD
Phone: (734) 994-8100
Fax: (734) 994-2203
Janet Grand
Early On Support
Washtenaw ISD
Phone: (734) 994-8100 x1530
Fax: (734) 994-2203
Quicktime Streaming Video's, available in English, Spanish, and Arabic
Early On - Informational Video for Parents, English
http://stream.wash.k12.mi.us/earlyengs.html
Temprano encendido (Early On) VÍdeo Informativo para los Padres, Español
http://stream.wash.k12.mi.us/earlyspas.html
Early On - Informational Video for Parents, Arabic
http://stream.wash.k12.mi.us/earlyaras.html
Early On Michigan
Early On Michigan is a system designed to coordinate early intervention and other services for families who have children (ages 0-3) experiencing developmental delays or who have disabilities or special needs.
Early On Michigan website: http://1800earlyon.org
Bridges4Kids!
A non-profit parent organization providing a comprehensive system of information and referral for parents of children from birth through transition to adult life.
Web site: http://www.bridges4kids.org/