This section of PALawHelp.org has information and resources about Early Intervention issues in Pennsylvania.
EARLY INTERVENTION: QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Young children who experience delays in growth and development, even as young as newborn babies, are entitled to receive free educational services to help them develop and gain skills for later school success. Parents should be included in the planning and delivery of those services. This fact sheet provides information on how parents can make sure their young children get the services they need. WHAT IS EARLY INTERVENTION? Early Intervention (EI) is a free program for young children (birth to age 5) who have delays in growth and development or have disabilities.1 The program provides services to help children grow and gain skills so that they are ready to go to school with their peers. EI’s two programs are based on age: Infant/Toddler Early Intervention (Infant/Toddler EI) for ages 0-3 and Preschool Early Intervention (Preschool EI) for ages 3-5.
WHY ARE EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES IMPORTANT?
Research has documented that early intervention services for children ages 0 through 5 produce positive outcomes on many levels, including improvements in cognitive, language, motor, and social-emotional development, as well as school outcomes. Continue Reading Full Resource. . .
Click on a resource category listed below to see information related to that category.
2025-26 Back to School Guide for Pennsylvania Public School Students, Families, and Advocates
The Education Law Center-PA (ELC-PA) has updated its annual “Back to School Guide” with new publications and updated information on multiple education topics to help students, families, and child-serving professionals.
Early Intervention Family Resources
The Bureau of Early Intervention Services and Family Supports (BEISFS), Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), supports families in meeting the developmental needs of their children. To enhance families’ knowledge and skills, BEISFS has a range of resources for families in Early Intervention. This publication provides a range of resources designed specifically for families receiving Early Intervention services.
Early Intervention: Questions and Answers
Young children who experience delays in growth and development, even as young as newborn babies, are entitled to receive free educational services to help them develop and gain skills for later school success. Parents should be included in the planning and delivery of those services. This fact sheet from the Education Law Center provides information on how parents can make sure their young children get the services they need. (August 2025)
HUNE: Early Intervention Programs
This fact sheet highlights the Early Intervention programs of HUNE (Hispanos Unidos para Ninos Excepcionales). HUNE empowers and supports parents of children and youth with exceptionalities in obtaining a quality public education so that the students will lead rich, active lives, attain future success and graduate on time.
Preventing Suspension and Expulsion in Preschool Settings
This fact sheet addresses the rights of young children facing exclusion in preschool settings in Pennsylvania, including child care and day care centers, Early Intervention, Head Start, private academic schools, and school district prekindergarten, among others. If one of these school settings seeks to exclude your child, here are some things you should know about your rights. (August 2025)
Resources: Early Intervention
List of resources from the Education Law Center - Pennsylvania on the topic of Early Intervention
Special Education for School-Age Children (age 3 to graduation or age 21)
Information from Disability Rights Pennsylvania on Special Education Services Available to Children with Disabilities beginning at age 3.
The Family Guide to Inclusive Early Learning in Pennsylvania
This guide is designed to be a quick and easy resource to inclusive early childhood learning programs in Pennsylvania. It describes each program and tells you who is eligible and how to apply for the program. [PDF] (2012)
Individualized Family Service Plan/Individualized Education Program (IFSP/IEP) - Early Intervention
The IFSP identifies services and supports for children and families involved in Early Intervention. The IFSP and IEP consider the strengths of the child; concerns of the parent/guardian and most recent evaluation results so that family members and early education programs are actively engaged in promoting the child’s learning and development. This annotated form provides guidance to parents and early intervention staff completing the evaluation report. It is not intended as an exclusive manner for complying with state and/or federal special education statutes and regulations. Effective Date: December 1, 2022
2025-26 Back to School Guide for Pennsylvania Public School Students, Families, and Advocates
The Education Law Center-PA (ELC-PA) has updated its annual “Back to School Guide” with new publications and updated information on multiple education topics to help students, families, and child-serving professionals.
Early Intervention: Questions and Answers
Young children who experience delays in growth and development, even as young as newborn babies, are entitled to receive free educational services to help them develop and gain skills for later school success. Parents should be included in the planning and delivery of those services. This fact sheet from the Education Law Center provides information on how parents can make sure their young children get the services they need. (August 2025)
Education Law Center
The Education Law Center is a non-profit legal advocacy and educational organization, dedicated to ensuring that all of Pennsylvania's children have access to a quality public education.
Preventing Suspension and Expulsion in Preschool Settings
This fact sheet addresses the rights of young children facing exclusion in preschool settings in Pennsylvania, including child care and day care centers, Early Intervention, Head Start, private academic schools, and school district prekindergarten, among others. If one of these school settings seeks to exclude your child, here are some things you should know about your rights. (August 2025)
Resources: Early Intervention
List of resources from the Education Law Center - Pennsylvania on the topic of Early Intervention
The Family Guide to Inclusive Early Learning in Pennsylvania
This guide is designed to be a quick and easy resource to inclusive early childhood learning programs in Pennsylvania. It describes each program and tells you who is eligible and how to apply for the program. [PDF] (2012)
A Family's Introduction to Early Intervention in Pennsylvania
This booklet explains how to request Early Intervention services; eligibility criteria; rights and responsibilities; individualized family service planning for ages birth to three; and individualized education planning for ages three to school age. (04/2021)
Commonly Asked Questions About Child Care Centers and the Americans with Disabilities Act
Answers to common questions about Child Care Centers and the Americans with Disabilities Act from the U.S. Department of Justice. (February 2020)
Early Intervention Family Resources
The Bureau of Early Intervention Services and Family Supports (BEISFS), Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), supports families in meeting the developmental needs of their children. To enhance families’ knowledge and skills, BEISFS has a range of resources for families in Early Intervention. This publication provides a range of resources designed specifically for families receiving Early Intervention services.
Early Intervention Transition: Preschool Programs to School-Aged Programs
Announcement from the Bureau of Special Education to clarify the procedures concerning the transition of children from Preschool Early Intervention programs to the kindergarten or first grade programs of their school districts of residence or local charter school. Reviewed April 4, 2025
HUNE: Early Intervention Programs
This fact sheet highlights the Early Intervention programs of HUNE (Hispanos Unidos para Ninos Excepcionales). HUNE empowers and supports parents of children and youth with exceptionalities in obtaining a quality public education so that the students will lead rich, active lives, attain future success and graduate on time.
Individualized Family Service Plan/Individualized Education Program (IFSP/IEP) - Early Intervention
The IFSP identifies services and supports for children and families involved in Early Intervention. The IFSP and IEP consider the strengths of the child; concerns of the parent/guardian and most recent evaluation results so that family members and early education programs are actively engaged in promoting the child’s learning and development. This annotated form provides guidance to parents and early intervention staff completing the evaluation report. It is not intended as an exclusive manner for complying with state and/or federal special education statutes and regulations. Effective Date: December 1, 2022
Office for Dispute Resolution
Website of the Office for Dispute Resolution (ODR). The ODR provides the resources for families and educational agencies to resolve educational disputes for children served by the early intervention system, students who are gifted (or thought to be gifted), and students with disabilities (or thought to have disabilities).
Early Intervention (EI) for Infants and Toddlers (birth through age 2)
Information on the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), a state agency, overseen by the Department of Education and the Department of Human Services that partners with early intervention providers, child care centers, Head Start programs, libraries, community organizations, and parents to provide “high quality early childhood programs and effective prevention strategies to mitigate challenges faced by families that affect school readiness and academic success.”
Special Education for School-Age Children (age 3 to graduation or age 21)
Information from Disability Rights Pennsylvania on Special Education Services Available to Children with Disabilities beginning at age 3.