Mission
The Early Intervention program is designed to enable the child to reach his/her maximum potential by identifying strengths and weaknesses within 5 developmental areas and developing an educational program in a natural environment to address those needs. The developmental areas assessed are: social/emotional, communication, adaptive, cognitive, fine motor and gross motor.

Who is served
The Early Intervention program serves children between the ages of birth and three years who have been identified as having a 20% or more delay in one or more of the 5 major developmental areas (communication, fine motor, gross motor, adaptive, social/emotional, cognition) or, who have a diagnosed disability.

The program is provided at no charge to the families meeting eligibility criteria. Services are either provided at the Project H.E.L.P. center or in the child’s home or childcare facility.

Referral Process
Tennessee Early Intervention Systems has been designated as the single point of entry for "high-risk" children and usually serves as the first contact for families. However, anyone may refer a child to Project H.E.L.P.

After the referral is received, a service coordinator is assigned to that family and a complete medical and social history is collected. A developmental screening of the child's abilities will determine whether further evaluations are needed.

After the necessary evaluations have been completed, a meeting is held including the family, the evaluators, the service coordinator, and Project H.E.L.P. personnel to make decisions as to the child's eligibility, to write an Individualized Family Service Plan, and to design a program if found eligible.

Eligibility
A child is eligible for services through Project H.E.L.P. in one of two ways: if he or she has greater than a 20% delay in one or more of the following areas: communication, fine motor, gross motor, adaptive, social/emotional, cognition; or if a physician has diagnosed a disability.

Individualized Family Service Plan
An Individualized Family Service Plan involves developing and writing a plan of services for your family and your child to ensure that all of your needs are recognized. Your family's unique needs, routines, schedules, and environments are identified and discussed in relationship to your child's needs. Your child's immediate needs and long range goals are addressed. Any services that will help your family and your child meet those goals will be identified and discussed. And activities to help your child transition from future services on his or her third birthday will be planned.

Programs and Services
The Center-Based Program is housed in the Project H.E.L.P. early intervention center. Three classrooms, the Red Room, the Blue Room, and the Green Room, operate two sessions each daily. The classes are from 8:30-11 a.m., and then from 1-3:30 p.m.

The Home and Community Program is a minimum of one hour per week of special instruction involving both the parent and the child. Usually the instruction takes place in the home, but can also occur at the child’s childcare facility.