CIS offers early intervention, family support, and prevention services that help ensure the healthy development and well-being of children, pre-birth to age 5. Services are available at low or no cost to families.
Who Can Get Services
CIS may be able to help if you:
- Are pregnant and have a condition/risk that may impact your baby's health
- Have a child, from birth to age 3, with a disability or developmental delay
- Have a child up to age 5 who is experiencing behavioral challenges or social-emotional issues
- Have a child up to age 5 and your family is experiencing significant challenges
- Struggle with parenting or my child's behavior
Available Services
CIS services are family-centered, child-focused, and delivered through a network of providers throughout Vermont. CIS helps you decide what services you need, and helps you access the services you need. Services could include:
- Parenting support
- Help during a pregnancy and after delivery (e.g., help finding medical care, breastfeeding support and nutrition counseling)
- Help finding services for your family and child
- An assessment of your child and family's situation
- Early intervention services (IDEA Part C)
- A nurse or home visitor visiting a location of your choice. (Partnering with the VT Department of Health - more information available on their website)
- Referrals to appropriate services and service coordination
- Speech, language and vision services
All children who need early intervention services are eligible regardless of their family's income, in accordance with the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Part C.
How Services Are Provided
Services are provided by local professionals including nurses, early interventionists and child development specialists. CIS professionals will work with you to develop a plan to meet your goals.
Services are provided at your home, child care program or another location where you are comfortable. Families prenatal through age 5.
Don't worry though! You don't need to know which program to apply for. You simply need to contact your local CIS Coordinator (see below) to get started.
Call Your Local CIS Coordinator
Your local CIS Coordinator will:
- Ask you questions about your concerns and the help you're looking for;
- Help you access the CIS services and other resources you need; and
- Help you transition from CIS to other community services.
While you may get services from more than one program during your journey with CIS, you'll have just one main contact at any given time.
If you have a concern, call right away. The earlier the intervention the better!