Programs and Services

EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES (BIRTH - 3 YEARS OLD)

Early Intervention (EI) is provided for children from birth - 3 years old who are at risk for, or have, disabilities or a delay such as, but not limited to, Down Syndrome, speech delay, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, hearing or vision loss, hydrocephalus, microcephalus, autism, developmental delay or neurological impairments.

Each child is evaluated and recommended for services if there is a 25% delay in any developmental are. An Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) is created by a team of professionals. Based on the IFSP, a three component program assists parents in providing optimum care for their child. The three components to Early Intervention are:

1. Education: UCP's Early Intervention Specialists provide home-based (special instruction) teaching to children enrolled in the program.


2. Therapy: UCP has Physical, Speech and Occupational Therapists who travel to the homes/daycares of children enrolled in the program who need these services.


3. Home Service Nurse: Through a special partnership with the Pennsylvania Elks Cerebral Palsy Home Service Program, UCP sends a registered nurse to the homes of families who need the services. This nurse provides parent education, constructive support and information to the child's family. Examples of the nurse's support include interpreting medical findings, help with feeding and/or toilet training and finding resources to help the family.

A child can be referred to the Early Intervention Program by a parent, a family member, a friend, a physician, public health nurses, social service agencies or hospitals.

UCP of South Central PA provides EI services to 450 children residing in York, Adams, Franklin & Fulton Counties. All services are available year round and are provided at no cost to families.

For more information about EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES (BIRTH - 3 YEARS OLD), please contact UCP at (717) 632-5552 or send an e-mail.

http://www.ucpsouthcentral.org
Updated: 09/05/2007