Health Division Internet - Bureau of Early Intervention Services

Bureau of Early Intervention Services

Janelle Mulvenon, Bureau Chief
Administrative Offices:

(775) 684-3460

3427 Goni Road, Suite 108,

Carson City, NV 89706

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of Nevada’s Bureau of Early Intervention Services is to identify infants and toddlers who are at-risk for, or who have developmental delays; provide services and supports to families to meet the individualized developmental needs of their child; and facilitate the child’s learning and participation in family and community life through the partnerships of families, caregivers and service providers.

Guiding Principles

Children are special and unique:

All children are unique, with their individual strengths and talents. The presence of a disability or special need is not the defining characteristic of a child.
Children grow, develop and learn in the context of relationships with their families and other caregivers in everyday routines, activities, and community settings.
Early Intervention enhances and supports community partners’ capacity to serve and include young children with disabilities and their families as all children have the right to belong, to be welcomed and to participate fully in their community.

Families are central to decision making:

Each family’s priorities, values, hopes and diversity are honored.
Families are partners and decision-makers in all aspects of services, as they are the experts about their child’s and family’s needs.

The early intervention role:

Service providers across all disciplines value family participation and collaboration.
Mutual trust, respect, honesty and open communication characterize the family-provider relationship, building on family strengths.

Services and supports:

Services, supports and resources need to be timely, flexible, individualized and responsive to the changing needs of children and their families.

What is Early Intervention?

Family-centered early intervention during the first three years of a child's life - sometimes starting even before your newborn infant with special needs comes home for the hospital - can make a profound difference in a child's future.

Early intervention is a system of coordinated services that promotes the child's growth and development and supports families during the critical early years. Early intervention services to eligible children and families are federally mandated through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Starting with a partnership between parents and professionals at this early stage helps the child, family and community as a whole. Early intervention services delivered within the context of the family can:

Improve both developmental and educational gains;
Reduce the future costs of special education, rehabilitation and health care needs;
Reduce feelings of isolation, stress and frustration that families may experience; and
Help children with disabilities grow up to become productive, independent individuals.

The earlier children with or at risk of disabilities receive assistance and the sooner their families receive support towards their children's development, the farther they will go in life.

What Does Early Intervention Include?

Early intervention services are determined through an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) that is developed for your child and family. By working closely with the family, early intervention professionals ensure that both services and community supports, including family supports, are brought together to meet each child's and family's unique needs. Early Intervention services are provided at no cost to the family and include:

Assistive technology devices/services
Audiology (hearing) services
Family training, counseling and home visits
Health services
Medical services for diagnostic or evaluation purposes
Nutrition counseling
Occupational therapy
Physical therapy
Psychological services
Service coordination
Social work services
Special instruction
Speech and language services
Transportation services
Vision and orientation and mobility services
Others as needed

Babies Can't Wait!

Because all babies are different, they rarely do the same thing at exactly the same age. As a result, it's not unusual for families to have questions or concerns about their child's development. You may wonder;
Why isn't my son sitting up?
Why isn't my daughter crawling?
Why doesn't my son talk like other children his age?
It's important to keep in mind that all children develop differently and at their own pace. If you have concerns about your child's development, call your health provider or local early intervention program. Or you can call Project ASSIST toll free for contact information.

Project ASSIST
1-800-522-0066

Last Updated ( Tuesday, 24 June 2008 )

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