Talking to Your Child's Pediatrician
Your child's pediatrician monitors your child's development and health and can offer mental health evaluations and referrals to mental health specialists and programs.
Early Childhood Services
Early Childhood Services
Finding care for your child in early childhood is a bit different than if your child is enrolled in a public elementary school.
Many parents are unaware of the services available to them and their young children and where to turn to get their children the help they need. Parents can get services for their young children from the pediatrician, school system, childcare provider, or a variety of state and community programs.
Your child’s pediatrician monitors your child’s development and health and can offer mental health evaluations and referrals to mental health specialists and programs.
The school system offers mental health evaluations and special education services for children, age three or over even if they are not yet enrolled in school. Learn more about the school system.
Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the same rights are guaranteed to children, ages three to five, as children who attend public schools. If your child is not enrolled in school because they are under age five, the school system is still responsible for getting your child the services they need.
In addition to your child’s pediatrician and the school system, childcare providers and various state and community programs can offer early childhood services for your child.
Types of Professionals
In addition to pediatricians and school professionals, there are a variety of different types of professionals who can work with young children in childcare and state and community program settings.
Childcare Providers
Depending on the type of childcare you have, your childcare provider could be a parent like yourself or another type of professional. Childcare providers who provide care for more than three children in a home or center must be licensed by The Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF).
State and Community Programs
At state and community programs, the professionals will vary depending on the type of program. In particular, Early Intervention staff may include medical doctors, psychologists, psychiatrists, speech-language pathologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, social workers, or advanced practice registered nurses, depending on the site. Learn more about mental health specialists.
Tip
Childcare providers can also be valuable partners in your child’s mental healthcare. If you feel comfortable, let your childcare provider know your child’s mental health issues and treatment plan. They may be able to support your efforts through their childcare program.
Evaluations
In addition to the evaluations available through your child’s pediatrician and possibly the school system, there are many opportunities for your child to receive mental health and development evaluations.
Childcare Providers
Whether your child attends a childcare program in a family childcare home or a center-based program, many childcare providers informally evaluate your child’s development. In addition, some childcare providers conduct developmental screenings for children. The childcare program will screen the child while in their care and give you results.
State and Community Programs
Evaluations are offered through a variety of state agency and community-based programs. For more information on these programs, see the resources listed below.
Learn more about the different types of mental health evaluations
Services Offered
The options for early childhood services vary depending on the child's age.
Children, birth to age three, may be eligible to receive services through Early Intervention (EI). EI is a statewide, family-centered program that promotes growth and development of infants and toddlers with developmental challenges. EI helps eligible children and families get the supports and services necessary to meet their goals. EI serves any eligible child regardless of ability to pay.
Children, ages three to five, who have special needs, may be eligible to receive special education services through the school system, even if they are not yet enrolled in public school. Ask your local school department to help you get a referral for an evaluation for special education services. If an evaluation is conducted and your child is eligible for special education services, the school system will work with you to determine which services and/or supports will be offered, as well as how and where to provide them. Services may be provided in a child’s home, childcare program, or local public school. Learn more about the school system.
Accessing Early Intervention
Parents may call any Early Intervention (EI) site if they have concerns about their newborn, infant, or toddler. When a child is referred to EI, eligibility is determined through an EI evaluation. The purpose of the evaluation process includes not only eligibility determination, but also information gathering for planning purposes and answering family questions regarding their child’s development.
A child may be eligible for EI if they are under age three and are experiencing delays in development, have certain diagnosed condition or conditions, or have circumstances that may result in significant delays in development.
After a child is determined eligible for EI, the family works with a team of professionals to design a plan called the Individualized Family Services Plan. This plan outlines the child’s strengths and needs and
is developed based on the result of the evaluation and the concerns of the family.
Families serve as key members of the team in the plan development to ensure that it is realistic and workable for both their child and family. The plan, once completed, will identify supports and services necessary for the child and family to meet desired goals.
Resources
In addition, the following state agency and community programs can provide you with information and services that you need to help care for your child.
CEDARR Family Centers
CEDARR stands for Comprehensive Evaluation, Diagnosis, Referral and Re-Evaluation. These centers offer families information on specific diagnoses and treatment options and can help make appropriate referrals.
Child Care Support Network (CCSN)
CCSN provides health and mental health consultation to child care centers and family childcare homes throughout the state. Learn more at https://ccsntraining.com.
Child Outreach
In Rhode Island, all children, ages three to five, are eligible for a free Child Outreach screening . This brief screening evaluates a child’s abilities in specific areas. Learn more at https://ride.ri.gov/instruction-assessment/early-childhood-education/child-outreach-screening.
Early Head Start
The purpose of Early Head Start and Head Start is to promote a child’s readiness to learn in school. These programs provide comprehensive developmental services for low-income children, pregnant women, and their families.
Family Outreach Program (FOP)
FOP assists families with young children by providing screenings and at-home visits with health professionals during days, evenings, or weekends. Learn more at https://health.ri.gov/family-visiting/services/first-connections.