Infant and Family Support Program
A free early intervention program for children (birth through 2 years) with Disabilities and Their Families
A California Early Start Program
Mission Statement:
The ACOE Infant & Family Support Program is a relationship centered organization that provides individualized Infant Development Services to children with special needs from birth through 3 years and their families in centers, their homes, and communities. Through education, advocacy, and partnerships, we strive to empower families, enhance potential, and build a positive view of the future.
Program Information:
Services emphasize the continued development of skills and need to be provided within the context of the family to be effective for children below the age of three years. Children and their families are visited regularly in the home or wherever the child spends his/her day by an Early Interventionist, and developmental play activities are used to support and promote the acquisition of skills. Additionally, parents may choose to have their child attend our center-based program when they reach 2 years of age to offer the opportunity to learn and socialize with other children.
Choice of services is determined by a multidisciplinary team, which includes parents. Parents can choose to decline any home services, group services, or family involvement activities.
Staff adhere to established guidelines and standards of the program when communicating with families, developing curriculum and learning environments,and providing for the physical and emotional well-being of all children.
Who can be referred for Educational Services?
Infants and toddlers, birth through 2 years of age, with one of the following:
- Developmental delay in one or more of the following areas: physical, cognitive, language, adaptive, and/or social-emotional
- Solely a visual, hearing, or severe orthopedic impairment; or any combination thereof
- A diagnosed physical or mental condition that has a high probability of resulting in developmental delay
Who can make a referral?
- Parents or legal guardians
- Other family members
- Physicians, other medical agencies and professionals, such as Public Health Services, California Children Services, etc.
- Social Services
- Regional Center Referrals may be made at any time.
What free services are available?
- Evaluation by qualified personnel determines a child's initial and continuing eligibility for services.
- Ongoing assessment by a multidisciplinary team identifies the child's strengths and needs, including the needs, concerns, and priorities of the family to assist in their child's development.
- Early education services based on the needs of the child and family are determined jointly by the family and multidisciplinary team, and specified in a written Individualized Family Service Plan.
- Service coordination facilitates, coordinates and monitors the delivery of services necessary to enhance the development of each infant or toddler being served for the duration of the child's eligibility.
- Early education service options include family-focused services, small group activities with other toddlers (with or without the parents), and family involvement activities, such as support or parent education meetings. Other services may include consultation by a Speech Therapist, School Nurse, and Occupational Therapist.
- Smooth transition to a preschool program is facilitated by a plan to establish communication and cooperation between educators and the child's family.
