Early intervention is a powerful tool that can make a great, big impact on the lives and development of children with developmental delays and disabilities. However, as a parent, trying to figure out the best care options, tackle wait lists, and secure funding can be incredibly challenging and often frustrating. If you’re wondering about your child’s eligibility, the difference between in-home and in-clinic early intervention, parenting in the NICU, and the big question: who pays for it all?! — know that you’re not alone. We’ve compiled expert advice and essential information to support you through every step of this journey, from birth to kindergarten.
Mapping the Journey from Birth to Kindergarten: The 4 Ws of Early Intervention
- What exactly is early intervention, and who pays for it? Learn all the ways early intervention is funded, including insurance, Regional Centers, California Children’s Services, SELPA, Medi-Cal, and more, in our article: What Is Early Intervention?
- Does early intervention actually make a difference in a child’s development? Read all about that, plus tips about pursuing a diagnosis (or not!) in our article: What Are the Benefits of Early Intervention?
- When should we start early intervention? Is it too early? Too late? Learn about when to start services for your little one, like physical therapy, speech therapy, and more, in our article When Does Early Intervention Start?
- The early intervention care team: who are the providers, physicians, and therapists that your child will need? Read about the complex journey of building a great care team (including yourself!) and getting the right support to meet your child’s needs in our article: What Is an Early Intervention Specialist?
When determining which early intervention services our child needs, we often find ourselves wondering about the differences between home- and clinic-based therapies. Learn more about what early intervention in a “natural setting” means, and the differences between getting services in your home and in a clinic in our latest article: Natural Setting: Early Intervention in the Home or Clinic.
Parenting a baby in the NICU doesn’t leave much time to think about insurance or state programs. For example, does a baby even need Medi-Cal? (Hint: yes — even if your baby’s NICU stay is fully covered by private insurance. it may still be worthwhile for you to establish Medi-Cal eligibility as soon as possible). We’ve written up a guide on How to Get Medi-Cal If Your Baby Is in the NICU to give you some peace of mind that your child’s medical needs are being covered — and that starts with enrolling in funding programs as soon as possible.
We all know what an IEP is, but what is an IFSP? Well, similar in concept to an IEP, an IFSP, or Individualized Family Service Plan, is a document that describes your child’s needs, goals, and objectives, as well as the services and supports your child requires to achieve those goals and objectives (but the IFSP meeting is much less formal than an IEP meeting!). Explore everything IFSP in our article: Parts of an IFSP.
One Undivided parent shared with their Navigator, “Thank you. I truly appreciate all of your feedback and help. It’s so nice to know that there is a community who understands everything, and more importantly, empathizes with the ‘new normal’ we are facing with our son.”
Undivided’s downloadable guide to early intervention is here!
Navigating early intervention can have any parent feeling overwhelmed. If you have questions about whether your child is eligible, what the evaluation process is like, or what age is the right age for a diagnosis, you’re not alone. We’ve gathered plenty of expert advice and useful information to help you through every step of this journey. Download your free early intervention packet for resources, tips, templates, and more all about public benefits in California for children with disabilities, plus tips and resources to navigate entry into preschool and transition to kindergarten.
Undivided Conversations: Parenting in the NICU
Join us for an exciting virtual conversation all about parenting in the NICU! We get it —parenting in the NICU can be tough. That’s why we teamed up with Dr. Kalpashri Kesavan, MD, and Heather McCullough, Undivided Navigator, to give you the scoop on making the NICU journey a bit smoother and boosting your confidence along the way! Watch the full conversation on YouTube!
Event Recap: In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) for Ages 0–5
On June 6, we sat down with Undivided Public Benefits Specialist Lisa Concoff Kronbeck where she covered IHSS basics and tips specifically for babies and young kids. In case you missed it or you’re ready for another watch to take notes, find the full recording and read the highlights in our article 5 Steps to Get IHSS for Kids Under Age 5.
California Public Benefits Bootcamp: Virtual Summer Training Series
Are you wondering what public benefits your child is eligible for? Join us Thursday, June 27, 1:00–2:00 p.m. PDT for a live event with Public Benefits Specialist Lisa Concoff Kronbeck. Whether you’re new to these programs or you want to get more out of them, Lisa will be available to answer all your questions about Regional Center, Medi-Cal, In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS), California Children’s Services (CCS), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and other government programs in California that help provide funding and care. Register for this free event here on our RSVP page!
CalABLE: Essentials and Why It Matters: Virtual Summer Training Series
Looking to save for your child’s future without affecting their eligibility for government programs? As part of our summer training series, join us in a live conversation on Thursday, July 11, 1:00-2:00 p.m. PDT with CalABLE Outreach Specialist Madeline Handy as we look closer at how parents of kids with disabilities can use this program to help provide for our children’s care. Register for this free event here on our RSVP page!
Office Hours with Lisa Concoff Kronbeck
On Wednesday, June 12, 12:00-1:00 p.m. PT, Public Benefits Specialist Lisa Concoff Kronbeck will be available for Undivided Office Hours, where she’ll answer questions about getting our kids what they need from Medi-Cal, Regional Center, and other government programs. Bi-weekly Office Hours are virtual Q&A sessions with experts that are open to Undivided members only, so if you’d like to attend, sign up here to begin your free Kickstart!
- Should you focus on getting a diagnosis first or getting services? Hear from Dr. Kathryn Smith on our YouTube channel→
- If your child has recently received a new diagnosis, it can be a lot to process. Listen to these words of encouragement from Dr. Shafali Jeste on our Instagram→
- Other parents in the disability community are an amazing source of information and support! Join our private Facebook group to connect with other parents→
- Has a particular provider or organization helped you navigate early intervention services for your child? Share a shoutout with us on LinkedIn→
