Early Childhood Intervention Services
Public Hearings and Opportunity for Public Comment: Revisions to 40 TAC Chapter 108, Division for Early Childhood Intervention Services
The proposed revisions are based on feedback from the US Department of Education, feedback from regional contractor meetings, programmatic clarification of existing requirements, and new programmatic requirements. | More about ECI Public Hearings
Texas ECI Advisory Committee Chair Honored with National Award
The national IDEA Infant and Toddler Coordinators Association (ITCA) selected Texas ECI Committee Chair Harvey Salinas as the winner of a 2012 ITCA Regional Parent Leadership Award. These awards are given annually to acknowledge outstanding parent leadership on behalf of the IDEA Part C program for infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities and their families. | More about Harvey Salinas
Message from Commissioner Debra Wanser About Changes in ECI Eligibility
DARS Commissioner Debra Wanser announces changes in criteria for Early Childhood Intervention Services eligibility, effective September 1, 2011. | Read Commissioner Wanser’s message.
An Analysis of Needs and Service Planning in the Texas Early Childhood Intervention Program
As part of the evaluation of ECI, DARS contracted with SRI international to assess the apparent gap between the services that children and families need compared to current service levels. The results of this analysis are available in an Executive Summary and a Complete Report.
What is ECI?
ECI is a statewide program for families with children, birth to three, with disabilities and developmental delays. ECI supports families to help their children reach their potential through developmental services. Services are provided by a variety of local agencies and organizations across Texas.
- Vision & Mission statement - ECI's guiding principles
- Make a referral - Information for physicians and other professionals
- Division history - How ECI came to be
- How babies develop - Information about developmental milestones
State and federally funded through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA, P.L. 108-446), ECI provides evaluations and assessments, at no cost to families, to determine eligibility and need for services. Families and professionals work as a team to plan appropriate services based on the unique needs of the child and family. ECI asks families who can afford to do so, to share in the cost of services. The amount a family pays for ECI services is determined using a sliding fee scale and is based on family size and income after allowable deductions. No child and family will be turned away because of an inability to pay.
ECI goes to families and focuses on working with the child and family in their natural environment, such as at home, grandma's, or a child care center. Essentially, it's where children live, learn and play.
Research shows that growth and development are most rapid in the early years of life. The earlier problems are identified, the greater the chance of reducing the impact of them. Early intervention responds to the critical needs of children and families by:
- promoting development and learning,
- providing support to families,
- coordinating services, and
- decreasing the need for costly special programs.
ECI is here to help and can become an important resource for all families. For more information about ECI or to refer a child, call the DARS Inquiries Line at 1-800-628-5115.
