Early Childhood Intervention

Early Childhood Intervention a statewide program within the Texas Health and Human Services Commission for families with children ages birth to 3, with developmental delays, disabilities or certain medical diagnoses that may impact development. ECI services support families as they learn how to help their children grow and learn. Region One ECI provides the following collection of services:

• Occupational Therapy (OT) - Therapists promote the function and engagement of infants and toddlers and their families in everyday routines such as Bath time (address positioning needs, ensure safety and promote sensory rich • experiences), Meal time (promote independence in self-feeding; improve ability to eat a variety of foods and textures)

• Sensory processing skills (effectively use information from all the senses including movement and internal body awareness), and Play time (increase social skills; advance motor coordination; develop problem-solving abilities).

• Speech Therapy (ST) - Speech-Language
  Pathologists may be part of the early intervention • team. They help children develop cognitive
  skills (thinking, learning, problem-solving), communication skills (gesturing, talking, listening, understanding, use of alternative or augmented communication devices), social–emotional skills (playing, understanding feelings, making friends), • and adaptive or self-help skills (eating, bathing,
  and dressing).

• Physical Therapy (PT)- A Physical Therapist in ECI may work on meeting developmental milestones such as rolling, sitting, crawling, standing, and walking and to improve age-appropriate strength, balance, and coordination. A Physical Therapist may also work with the child to manage tight muscles/improve joint range of motion due to muscle restrictions, evaluate the need for orthotics (braces) or other supportive equipment. An evaluation for appropriate seating and mobility options may also be conducted by the PT, as well as assisting families with ordering any necessary adaptive equipment (braces or wheelchairs)

   

• Specialized Skills Training (SST) is a general developmental service provided by an EIS (Early Intervention Specialist). An EIS provides SST
  as an ongoing or consultative service when

  the child would benefit from a comprehensive developmental service. EISs are specialists in early childhood cognition, motivation and how infants and toddlers learn, typical infant and toddler behavior and challenging behaviors (biting, tantrums, picky eating, sleep issues) and how developmental areas are interconnected.

   

• Case Management - A Case Manager is assigned to every child’s case and is responsible for organizing the enrolled child’s services and assisting with accessing community resources the family may need.

   

• Child Find – The Child Find Specialists attend community events to promote the services provided by the Region One ECI program to educate the community about the services and to increase referrals. The Specialists organize and facilitate ECI Advisory Committee Meetings, manage online LiveBinders to provide current information on a variety of topics. Additionally, Specialists receive referrals and collaborate services for children dually enrolled in Head Start and other programs and provide CEU training, schedule and facilitate developmental screening as well as work in partnership with daycare licensing to allow ECI staff into daycare settings to deliver ECI services.

• SNAP Ed – The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) is a federally funded grant program. SNAP-Ed is evidence-based and helps people make their SNAP dollars stretch, teaches them how to cook healthy meals, and lead physically active lifestyles. SNAP-Ed partners with State and local organizations to meet people where they are. SNAP-Ed funds projects in all US States and Territories. The goal of SNAP-Ed is to implement a nutrition education and obesity prevention program for eligible individuals that promotes healthy food choices and physical activity consistent with the most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans.  

• Infant Massage – Region One ESC ECI Infant Massage classes are offered over a 5-week period to give parents/caregivers and babies time to learn and become comfortable with massage. Each week caregivers learn strokes for a new part of their child’s body. The Infant Massage Educator teaches a little at a time to ensure that parents are confident with every aspect of the class. Parents and caregivers learn massage strokes and touch relaxation; bonding techniques & ways to recognize the baby’s cues; how to ask permission & how doing so builds respect; how to choose the best oil for massage; how to identify the best time for massage & ways to work it into your daily routines. The classes may be individual with parent/caregiver, baby, and educator or with a small group. The educator will demonstrate massage strokes on a doll and the parent/ caregiver will massage their baby.

Our evaluation and assessment process is designed to provide a thorough understanding of each child's developmental strengths and areas of need, guiding the development of individualized intervention plans.

Our team of qualified professionals, including early childhood specialists, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and developmental therapists, conducts evaluations and assessments in collaboration with families. The evaluation process typically includes:

• Initial Intake and Referral

  • Families are referred to Region One ECI through various sources, including pediatricians, childcare providers, and community agencies. Upon referral, families undergo an initial intake process to gather information about the child's medical history, developmental concerns, and family priorities.

• Comprehensive Assessment

  • Our team conducts a comprehensive assessment to evaluate various areas of development, including cognitive, communication, motor, adaptive, and social-emotional skills. The assessment may include standardized assessments, observations, and parent interviews to gather information about the child's development in different contexts.

• Individualized Evaluation Report

  • Following the assessment, our team compiles a detailed evaluation report summarizing the child's developmental strengths and areas of need. The report also includes recommendations for early intervention services and strategies to support the child's development at home and in other environments.

• Family-Centered Planning

  • We work collaboratively with families to develop an individualized plan of care tailored to the child's specific needs and family priorities. This plan may include recommendations for ongoing therapy services, support groups, parent education, and community resources.

• Ongoing Monitoring and Support

  • Throughout the intervention process, our team provides ongoing monitoring and support to families to ensure that the child's developmental needs are met. We collaborate closely with families to track progress, make adjustments to the intervention plan as needed, and celebrate milestones achieved.

Our early intervention services are evidence-based and tailored to meet the unique needs of each child and family.

Our child care resources are showcased during the Summer Reach for the Stars Child Care Conference, a gathering of childcare professionals and educators dedicated to shaping the future of early childhood education. 

Our conference features a dynamic day of learning, networking, and inspiration which includes;

• Expert-led workshops
• Insightful keynote speakers
• Practical tools for your classroom or center
• Excellent resources for your center from local exhibitors
• Opportunities to connect with fellow professionals

Whether you’re a provider, administrator, or teacher, this conference offers something for everyone who cares about the well-being and development of young children. Topics include safety, autism, and development in both Spanish and English.

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Our childcare resources also help Child Care Centers, you can learn how we work together.

SNAP-ED educates recipients with evidence-based practices on stretching their SNAP dollars, cooking healthy meals, and leading physically active lifestyles.

We partner with community centers, daycares, non-profit organizations, and early childhood educational institutions across Hidalgo and Cameron counties to educate the the family SNAP servers and the broader community

My Plate for My Family

We provide  families with four monthly visits featuring the “My Plate for My Family” curriculum.

During these visits, families receive educational materials, including a plate with portion size guidelines for both children and adults, nutritional advice, and tips on saving money by purchasing healthy cost-effective foods.

Interactive Sessions

Our Educators provide fun interactive classes offered monthly in community centers across Hidalgo and Cameron County. Parents can connect with one another while learning about healthy lifestyle changes. The program also provides parents with

• Informational handouts,
• Recipes
• Opportunities to participate in activities that reinforce current ideas.   
• List of community resources.

Free Sessions

We provides trainings at no cost to non-profit organizations and educational institutions including daycares. The goal of the training is to assist these organizations in implementing nutrition and obesity prevention programs by promoting healthy food choices and physical activity consistent with the most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

^{The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program- Education (SNAP-ED) is a federally funded grant by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.}

Our Transition Planning Services are designed to ensure that children transitioning out of early intervention services receive the necessary support to continue their developmental progress seamlessly. 

Our Transition Planning Services include:

• Individualized Transition Planning

  • We work collaboratively with families to develop individualized transition plans tailored to the unique needs and goals of each child. These plans outline the steps and supports needed to facilitate a smooth transition to preschool or other appropriate services.

• Assessment and Evaluation

  • Our team conducts comprehensive assessments and evaluations to determine the child's current developmental status and identify any ongoing needs or areas of concern. This information guides the development of transition plans and ensures that appropriate supports are in place.

• Coordination with Community Resources

  • We collaborate with community agencies, school districts, healthcare providers, and other service providers to coordinate services and supports for children transitioning out of early intervention. We help families navigate the transition process and connect them with appropriate resources and services in their community.

• Parent Education and Empowerment

  • We provide information, resources, and training to empower parents to advocate for their child's needs during the transition process. We offer guidance on understanding rights and entitlements, navigating the educational system, and accessing appropriate services and supports.

• Continued Support

  • Our team continues to provide support to families even after the transition out of early intervention services. We remain available to address any questions or concerns that may arise and provide guidance on accessing additional supports as needed.

• Monitoring and Follow-Up

  • We monitor the child's progress following the transition to ensure that they are successfully accessing and benefiting from the services and supports identified in the transition plan. We provide ongoing support and follow-up to address any challenges or issues that may arise.