EI Toolkit. Stay Organized.

Anyone can refer — you, a family member, a doctor. You don't need a diagnosis.

Note specific behaviors, milestones you're worried about, and when you first noticed. This helps the evaluation team.

EI is free to you, but the program may bill your insurance. You'll never see a charge.

The EI program must contact you and schedule within 45 days of referral.

It happens in your home. Have toys available. Your child doesn't need to 'perform' — evaluators want to see natural behavior.

Communication, motor skills, cognition, social-emotional, and adaptive behavior. Ask about each one.

The team will share results with you. If your child qualifies, you'll move to IFSP development. If not, ask about monitoring.

You, the service coordinator, and evaluators develop the Individualized Family Service Plan together.

Goals should be about real life — 'Maya will use 2 words to request food' not just 'improve language skills.'

Speech, OT, PT, developmental specialist, vision, hearing — know what each one does and why it's recommended.

How often? How long each session? Push for what your child needs, not what's 'standard.'

You can sign for some services and not others. You can also request changes before signing.

Keep a simple notebook or phone notes: what worked, what's new, what concerns you.

Therapists should coach YOU on what to do between visits. This is where the real progress happens.

Your IFSP is reviewed every 6 months. Bring your notes. Request changes to goals or services if needed.

A full re-evaluation happens yearly. New testing, updated goals, adjusted services.

If you suspect a new area of concern (hearing, vision, feeding), you can request evaluation at any time.

Don't wait for them to call you. Reach out proactively and request an evaluation for school-based services.

The school district conducts its own evaluation — separate from EI. They have 30 school days to complete it.

The school team determines if your child qualifies for an IEP. Bring your EI records, progress notes, and your own observations.

Compare it to your IFSP. Are the services comparable? Are goals functional? Don't sign the same day if you're not sure.