Alberta Head Start/early Head Start

The Early Intervention program is designed to help children under the age of three who have developmental delays. The Early Intervention program is funded through the Alabama Department of Rehabilitative Services and the Alabama Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation. Most children grow and learn at a similar pace. If a child is not developing at or about the same rate as other children, that child may be experiencing a developmental delay. Early Intervention works to identify the special needs of a child and coordinates an individualized plan of services. All Early Intervention services and therapies are provided in the child's natural environment i.e., the child's home, daycare setting, etc. CSP's Early Intervention service coordinators will work with the family to determine the best setting. Family involvement is crucial to case management of these children. If a child is eligible for Early Intervention services, an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) is developed by the parents, the child's service coordinator and other service providers. An IFSP describes the services to be provided for a child including the frequency, time and location. The plan includes functional outcomes that will help a child reach full potential. The IFSP also plans for subsequent services, if needed, for when the child reaches age three.