Tip for Parents

The program encourages parents to talk with their child's doctor at every visit about the milestones their child has reached, and what to expect next.  They can also ask the doctor to conduct a five-minute screening that will help assess whether the child should receive any type of early intervention.

Who Can Receive Services

Children who are residents of Lake County, under the age of 3, and have met criteria for eligibility, the most common being a 30% delay in development or documentation of an automatically eligible medical diagnosis that may cause developmental delays. ​

Early Intervention Clearinghouse

Important Information from the Early Intervention Clearinghouse.

Additional Information

CFC links families to EI services and teaches families how to play with their children in order to help them learn and increase essential skills in the following areas of development:

• Physical: how your baby moves and explores
• Cognitive: how your baby learns
• Communication: how your baby lets you know what he/she needs
• Social/Emotional: how your baby engages with you and shows feelings
• Adaptive: how your baby uses new skills

Some CFC services available through the Health Department are provided to families at no cost, regardless of income, including:

• Audiological services
• Development of Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSP)
• Eligibility evaluations
• Monitoring of ongoing development for eligible children
• Parent liaison services
• Providing additional resource information to families
• Service coordination (similar to case management)

The family-centered EI services are coordinated, culturally sensitive, comprehensive and effective in assisting families to help their children reach their fullest potential. CFC staff ensures that families are aware of their EI rights and choices for services.