ECI Glossary of terms …

Assessment-ongoing tests used by a team of professionals to identify a child’s strengths and needs; family concerns, priorities, and resources, and services needed

Atypical Development-when a child may be developing on target but may have special concerns in other areas

Developmental Milestones- A checklist of the process of development among most children

Developmental Services- skills training to help enhance the child’s involvement in everyday activities and includes providing parental education to help the parent help the child.

Discharge-when the child leaves the program due to not being able to make visits or schedule meetings

Eligibility-requirements a child must meet in order to receive Early Childhood Intervention services in Texas

Evaluation-determining a child’s eligibility by gathering information specific to the child’s development

Family Cost Share-the amount of money a family will pay for ECI services in a month

Family Cost Share Agreement-a form the parent/guardian signs that includes the Family Cost Share amount the family is responsible for. 

Family Cost Share Fee Scale- a scale based on annual household income and number of household members to determine the possible cost of certain ECI services.

Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)-a written plan developed by a team of professionals and the family that discusses the services to be provided by ECI to the child and family.  The IFSP also addresses family concerns, priorities, and resources.

IFSP team- includes at least two professionals of different backgrounds, such as social work and occupational therapy, who work with the family to determine the needs of the child and family

Intake/screening-when an ECI worker meets with the family and child to discuss ECI services and what the child’s needs are

Natural Environment-places where the child lives, learns, and plays

Referral-when someone calls an ECI program about a child’s needs/delays and provides the necessary information for the child to receive an intake and evaluation, to determine if ECI services are needed

Service Coordination-a service provided by a person from ECI . This service consists of working with families to provide resources and support to help the family meet their child’s needs.

Service Coordinator- An ECI professional that works with the child and family to ensure quality ECI services.

Transition-the process of assisting families with planning for when their child turns 3 years of age or is no longer eligible for ECI services