Early Intervention

Infant/Toddler Early Intervention
Early intervention in Pennsylvania includes services and supports designed to help families with children with developmental delays, between the ages of birth to the start of school-age. Early intervention builds upon the natural learning occurring in those first few years. It is a process that promotes collaboration among parents, service providers, and others significantly involved with the child.

For children from birth to age three, the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, Office of Mental Retardation, operates the infant/toddler early intervention program. DPW/OMR provides early intervention services through county mental health/mental retardation programs.

Legislative and regulatory guidance is provided through IDEA Part C, Pennsylvania's Act 212, the Early Intervention Services System Act of 1990, and Department of Public Welfare regulations at chapter 4226.

For more information about early intervention visit the Department of Public Welfare web site at http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/Child/EarlyIntervention/.

Pre-School Early Intervention
For children from 3 years to the age of beginners, the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Bureau of Special Education operates the preschool early intervention program. PDE/BSE provides early intervention services through MAWAs (Mutually Agreed Upon Written Arrangements). MAWAs are typically Intermediate Units or school districts. Legislative and regulatory guidance is provided through IDEA Part B, Pennsylvania's Act 212, the Early Intervention Services System Act of 1990, Chapter 14, and the Basic Education Circulars related to early intervention.