The Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare is responsible for providing services to infants and toddlers, which is defined as children from birth through two years of age. Contact: CONNECT Information and Referral number: 800-692-7288 (for TTY, dial 711 for Relay Service) for local information and referral. CONNECT staff are able to assist families in a variety of health, education, and welfare issues
In Pennsylvania, a child between three years of age and the school district's age to begin school who has a developmental delay or one or more of the physical or mental conditions listed in the Annual Notice - Child Find is identified as an “eligible young child.” The parents of these children have the same rights described in the Annual Notice - Child Find information.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education is responsible for providing programs and services to eligible young children under Act 212 of 1990, the Early Intervention Services System Act. If a child appears to have problems in learning, communication, behavior, vision, hearing or any other area of development a screening is available from the Capital Area Intermediate Unit (CAIU). To schedule an appointment for screening, contact the CAIU Early Intervention Program Supervisor, at 717-732-8400 ext. 8619.
Following the referral, the child will be evaluated within 60 calendar days by a team of professionals, including the parents, to determine if there are developmental delays. If the Team determines that a delay exists, an Individual Education Plan (IEP) is written and services are provided at no cost to the parents.