5 Facts about the Arizona Early Intervention Program
As children grow, they also develop socially, emotionally, cognitively, and communicatively. When a child is not meeting developmental milestones, the DES Arizona Early Intervention Program (AzEIP) can help.
AzEIP supports families that have children from birth to 3 years old with developmental delays by providing early intervention services designed to support the advancement of young children.
AzEIP empowers families with knowledge, strategies, and resources that can help their child along the developmental path. Here are five things about AzEIP families should know:
- An AzEIP Service Coordinator is there every step of the way
After being referred to AzEIP, a service coordinator will start working with the family to help determine if their child is eligible for the program. Once eligible, the service coordinator helps the family build a development plan that is personalized and adjusts as the needs of the child and family change. The plan includes developmental milestones such as learning to play with toys, walking or crawling, and initial communication skills. Some of the steps may seem small, but each represents a significant accomplishment along the child’s developmental path.
- No matter where you live in Arizona, AzEIP can support your family!
AzEIP works with service-providing agencies (SPA) that directly support families in their homes or communities. Families are assigned to a SPA based on where the child lives. All SPAs undergo regular training to stay up to date on the latest early child development best practices and AzEIP ensures high-quality service from all providers. Your nearest SPA can be found on the Local Arizona Early Intervention Programs web page.
- Advocacy, Collaboration, and Public Forums are Available
The Interagency Coordinating Council (ICC) advises and assists AzEIP and its SPAs in the delivery of early intervention services for families and professionals. The public is welcome to attend its quarterly meetings and apply to be a member of the ICC. The ICC also has a Facebook page, and posts can be recommended by the public!
The Comprehensive System of Personnel Development (CSPD) is another resource AzEIP and its partners utilize to continuously improve their ability to provide the best care possible to the families they serve. Early education systems and parents are welcome to join a CSPD workgroup.
- Resources are Always Available for Families
The AzEIP Community Resource Guide has resources for families at every stage of the early intervention process. From information on therapy services and early childhood programs to local healthcare resources, the Community Resource Guide has you covered.
- Applying Online is Easy!
Applying for AzEIP services is simple! To apply, follow the instructions on the application page. Watch the AzEIP FAQ video to find the answers to many of our commonly asked questions. Upon completion of applying, a service coordinator will call you within two days to begin initial processing. See AzEIP’s What You Can Expect brochure for details.
For questions, call 888-592-0140 or email [email protected].