Early Childhood Intervention Therapy Services

ECI is a state and federally funded program 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 state regulated 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. Families with children enrolled in Medicaid, do not pay for any ECI services.

The following services are provided at no cost to the family regardless of income:​

• Evaluation/assessment, Development of the Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP), Case Management, Translation and interpreter services

Eligibility for Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) is determined by a team of at least two Brighton Center professionals from different disciplines (speech, occupational, physical therapist). A comprehensive evaluation is used to find out the nature and extent of the child’s abilities, delays or difficulties, and to determine whether a child is eligible for ECI services. Brighton’s ECI staff determines eligibility for infants and toddlers who are birth to 36 months of age based on:

​Medically Diagnosed Condition – A child who has a medically diagnosed condition that has a high probability of resulting in developmental delay qualifies for ECI. The diagnosis must be on the HHSC ECI list of qualifying medical diagnoses, and medical records must be provided to confirm the diagnosis.

​Auditory or Visual Impairment – A child who has an auditory or visual impairment as defined by the Texas Education Agency rule at 19 TAC Section 89.1040 qualifies for ECI. This determination is made by a team led by certified staff from the local independent school district

​Developmental Delay – A child who has a developmental delay of at least 25% which affects functioning in one or more areas of development, including cognition, communication, gross or fine motor, social-emotional and adaptive/self-help qualifies for ECI.

​If found eligible, an individualized family service plan (IFSP) is is then conducted. The IFSP will identify a child’s unique strengths and needs as well as determine what types of services are necessary to meet those needs. Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), evaluations and assessments are provided at no cost to parents. They are funded by state and federal monies.

If you are concerned that an infant or toddler may have a developmental delay or disability, contact ECI for an evaluation. Anyone can make a referral: a parent, family member, health care professional, social worker, caregiver, friend or neighbor). A referral may be based on a professional judgment or a family’s concern. Call ECI to make a referral: 210-826-4492 Or fill out this FORM for more information. 

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If you are concerned that your child may have a developmental delay or disability, call ECI to make a referral: 210-826-4492, Or fill out this FORM for more information. Next, an ECI professional will provide an evaluation to determine if your child is eligible and will discuss with you the need for services.

ECI helps children from birth to 36 months.

No, ECI will come to you. ECI professionals provide services in places familiar to your child – where they live, learn, and play – like at your home, at their childcare, or in a community setting – where your child feels most comfortable.

Yes. You may call and speak with ECI referral staff about your child’s development: 210-826-4492 Or fill out this FORM for more information.  You may also want to track your child’s developmental milestones to see how they are doing. Not reaching these milestones, or reaching them much later than other children, could be a sign of a developmental delay.

No, anyone can make a referral (a parent, family member, health care professional, social worker, caregiver, friend or neighbor.) Simply, call ECI: 210-826-4492 Or fill out this FORM for more information.

A child who already has a medically diagnosed condition, which has a high probability of resulting in a developmental delay, automatically qualifies for ECI. That diagnosis must be on HHSC/ECI’s list of qualifying medical diagnoses; medical records must be provided to confirm the diagnosis. To get started, call ECI and make a referral: 210-826-4492 Or fill out this FORM for more information.

Yes. ECI can help. If you are concerned that your child may have a developmental delay or disability, call ECI: 210-826-4492 Or fill out this FORM for more information. Early intervention is best.

If you are concerned that the foster child may have a developmental delay or disability, contact ECI for an evaluation. Anyone can request an evaluation (a parent, family member, health care professional, social worker, caregiver, friend or neighbor.) Call ECI to make a referral or for more information: 210-826-4492 Or fill out this FORM for more information.

Prior to the child’s 3rd birthday, ECI helps the family plan for services and supports elsewhere – after the child graduates from ECI (for example: the local school district, Head Start, private child therapy services, or other resources in the community).

At age 3, services may be provided by your local school district, Head Start, private child therapy services, or other resources in the community. You may contact your local school district for more information. To determine the school district in which you live, visit the Texas Education Agency (TEA) website