Early Intervention
Early Intervention System Structure and Relationships
The PowerPoint presentation provides a comprehensive overview of the structure of the Early Intervention system as well as the relationships between agencies.
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 Early Intervention System Structure and Relationships | 237.50 KB | document |
Universal Checklist for Identifying Infants and Toddlers Eligible for Early Intervention
The Tracking, Referral and Assessment Center for Excellence (TRACE) has released a new practice guide entitled Universal Checklist for Identifying Infants and Toddlers Eligible for Early Intervention. The guide describes the development and use of a universal checklist designed to be used by primary referral sources for identifying infants and toddlers who may be eligible for early intervention. For more information and to access the practice guide click here.
Research tells us that the first three years of a child’s life are the most critical time for learning. During these early years, it is important to focus on a child’s developmental needs and capitalize on his or her natural ability to learn.
The Maryland Infants and Toddlers Program directs a family-centered system of early intervention services for young children with developmental delays and disabilities— and their families.
Services are offered throughout the State and are designed to enhance a child’s potential for growth and development before he or she reaches school age. Services may include: audiology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, transportation, speech-language pathology, family training, special instruction, assistive technology, health services and home visits.
Maryland Infants and Toddlers Program
To make a difference for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with disabilities, early intervention and preschool special education must be built on respect for families and their primary role in the growth and development of children. Our mission and focus is to ensure that every child has a place in the community and the best possible chance to succeed.
A child's early years are full of excitement and change for every parent—a great balancing act between dreams and challenges. For families of young children with special needs, the challenges may seem overwhelming at times. Concerns about a child's development, or how a disability may affect his or her ability to grow and learn may overshadow a family's dreams for the future.
By recognizing each family's concerns and priorities and focusing on each child's strengths and needs, the Maryland Infants and Toddlers Program (MITP) assists families of children with special needs during the first three years of the child's developmental journey. Support, information, and coordinated services in community settings are what families tell us enhance their ability to manage the challenges and celebrate the gifts that each child has to offer.
MITP provides monitoring and technical assistance to 24 Local Infants and Toddlers Programs (LITPs) throughout Maryland. These programs are composed of local departments of education, health, social services, and other public and private providers identified by each jurisdiction. LITPs constitute the service delivery component of the statewide early intervention system.
What are Early Intervention Services?
Federal and State Laws and Regulations
Click on the link below to read more about early intervention federal and state laws and regulations.
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What are Early Intervention Services? | Reference |
- are provided under public supervision
- are provided at no cost except where Federal or State law provides for a system of payments by families, including a schedule of sliding fees
- are designed to meet the developmental needs of an infant or toddler with a disability in any one or more of the following areas
- physical development
- cognitive development
- communication development
- social or emotional development
- adaptive development
- meet the standards of the State in which they are provided, including the requirements of this part;
- include
- family training, counseling, and home visits
- special instruction
- speech-language pathology and audiology services
- occupational therapy
- physical therapy
- psychological services
- service coordination services
- medical services only for diagnostic or evaluation purposes
- early identification, screening, and assessment services
- health services necessary to enable the infant or toddler to benefit from the other early intervention services
- social work services
- vision services
- assistive technology devices and assistive technology services
- transportation and related costs that are necessary to enable an infant or toddler and the infant's or toddler's family to receive another service described in this paragraph
Additional Resources
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 Taking a Closer Look at Child and Family OutcomesDownload: OutcomesBrochure_MITP.pdf | 655.15 KB | document |
After the NICU: A Guide to the Maryland Infants and Toddlers Program.
For families with infants and toddlers with developmental disabilities.
Download the Growth and Developmental Milestones Brochure: A Guide to Development in Young Children, Birth to Three.
Parent's Rights and Responsibilities in the Early Intervention System
Mediation in the Early Intervention System Brochure – English
Impartial Complaint Resolution Procedures (Due Process) in the Early Intervention System
The Early Childhood Intervention and Education Branch at MSDE has developed a brochure for families “Taking a Closer Look at Child and Family Outcomes" (download on the right). This brochures provides information on how Maryland measures the benefit of early intervention services and supports to children with disabilities and their families who receive services through their local Infants and Toddlers Program.
