The Advocacy Alliance facilitates Early Intervention Evaluation Teams for Lackawanna and Susquehanna Counties to determine if children from birth to 2 years 9 months qualify for Early Intervention Services.

Early Intervention Initial and Annual Evaluations for Lackawanna and Susquehanna Counties:

• Reasons for referral for evaluation include: Speech Delay; Motor Delay; Cerebral Palsy; Torticollis; Down Syndrome; Sensory, Behavior, Hearing, Vision Concerns; Dwarfism; and Failure to Thrive.
• Children are eligible for evaluations from birth to 2 years and 9 months of age.
• Evaluations are carried out in the child’s natural environment (e.g., Home and Daycare). Family, guardian and/or caregiver, a service coordinator, and an interpreter as needed are present for the evaluation. Evaluations normally take approximately 2 to 3 hours.
• Evaluation Team includes two of the following disciplines: Occupational Therapy; Physical Therapy; Speech Therapy; Nursing; and Special Needs Instructors.
• The Battelle Developmental Inventory II is the tool used to carry out the evaluation. When needed the Infant/Toddler Sensory Profile is used.
• The Evaluation Team completes an Evaluation Report and participates in the creation/update of Individualized Family Service Plan for the child in the child’s natural environment. The Evaluation Team also provides the family with education and strategies regarding the family’s concerns about the child.

The Advocacy Alliance has the capability to expand these services to other counties as requested.