MCIU Early Intervention
Early Intervention
The Pennsylvania Department of Education is responsible by law for providing early education services for eligible children age three (3) to school age in the Commonwealth. The Montgomery County Intermediate Unit 23, through an agreement with the Department of Education, is contracted to deliver those services in Montgomery County.
In order to become eligible for Early Intervention preschool services, children of this age group must exhibit 1) a developmental delay of 25 percent or a qualifying disability and 2) require specially designed instruction.
How would my child be referred?
A parent or legal guardian who is concerned about their childs educational development should contact the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit for a referral packet in one of two ways:
By phone
Please call 610-755-9400, option 2, and provide the following details:
Your first and last name
Address
Home and work phone numbers
Childs name
Childs date of birth
Childs school district
Accessing the forms from the MCIU website
The forms are available on our website on the EI Forms page. They can be filled in electronically and returned via email to the MCIU. The forms also can be downloaded, printed out and completed by hand. Please mail the completed forms to Montgomery County Intermediate Unit 23, attn: Preschool Department, 1605 West Main Street, Norristown, PA 19403.
Once the forms are completed and returned to the MCIU, you will be contacted by an Early Intervention staff member.
What is the evaluation process?
Screening
A screening is provided for children who may have mental/physical disabilities or developmental delays and who are not receiving services. The parents and the childs preschool or daycare provider are asked to complete a questionnaire. During a screening, an Early Intervention staff member will meet with the parents and the child.
The screening activities are designed to collect information about the childs educational development in the following domains:
Cognitive skills
Adaptive (self-help) skills
Social/emotional skills
Communication skills
Gross and fine motor skills
Information from the screening process is used to determine if further evaluation is needed.
Evaluation
The Evaluation Report summarizes the information from the evaluations and from the parents.
The Evaluation Report will determine whether a child is eligible and in need of special education services. The report is shared with the IEP team, which includes the childs parents.
What is an IEP?
An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is developed if a child has been determined to be eligible and in need of special education services, based on the conclusions of the Evaluation Report.
The IEP outlines the childs educational goals and specially designed instruction necessary to demonstrate developmentally appropriate progress. The IEP is reviewed annually. The IEP can be revised at any time during the year at the request of any team member, including the parents.
What services are provided to my child?
Early Intervention preschool education services are tailored to meet the childs individual educational needs.
Services might include
Specialized instruction
Occupational therapy
Physical therapy
Hearing support
Speech and language support
Vision support
Services are provided in the least-restrictive educational environment in various placement locations throughout Montgomery County. Children may receive services individually or as part of a small or large group.