DCDC engages our child in educational activities, good socialization, individualized learning and care to extent possible, provides a safe and warm environment,and has great teachers.

Columbia Montour Early Intervention Services

While all children grow and change at their own rate, some children can experience delays in their development. Sometimes this can be a cause for concern. Early Intervention Services can help!

Danville Child Development Center is an Early Intervention System Provider for Columbia and Montour counties. Early Intervention in Pennsylvania is a collection of services and supports designed to help families with the challenge of parenting. Early Intervention builds upon the natural learning occurring in those first few years. These services can enhance a child’s development.

Early Intervention Services and Support May Help:

  • Answer questions about child development
  • Improve both developmental and educational growth
  • Help children with developmental delays become more independent
  • Assist communities to become more aware of the gifts and abilities of all its children
  • Prevent the need for more costly intervention in the future

Ages Birth through Two

The first step is to have an assessment completed that identifies the child’s functional level and skill capabilities. This step begins with a referral to the child’s home county Early Intervention Program. A Service Coordinator from the county program will make an appointment to meet with you to discuss your child’s needs and to schedule an appointment for the evaluation. If your child qualifies for services and you live in either Montour or Columbia County, the county service coordinator will contact DCDC to provide services for your child. Services are delivered in settings that meet the needs of each child and family. If you would like to have your child’s services delivered while he/she is in the care of DCDC, but you live in another county, DCDC can be contracted by that county to provide services. These services are provided at no cost to families with children who qualify because the assessment has determined a need.

A team consisting of the parent(s), a county service coordinator, the county’s independent evaluator, and members of DCDC´s Early Intervention staff develops an Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP). The plan identifies goals and objectives to be attained by the child, family, and support staff. Services include a Developmental Specialist, along with specific therapies such as Occupational, Physical, Speech and Language, and Hearing and Vision. The staff at DCDC will also include these goals and objectives into their daily program for your child.

Ages Three to Age of Entry to Your Local School District

A referral is made to the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit (CSIU), who will complete an evaluation. If your child is already enrolled in Birth through age 2 Early Intervention, there will be a process to transition your child from one program to the other. CSIU teachers and therapists can provide services to children who qualify for their program while they are in their preschool classes at DCDC. An Individual Education Plan (IEP) will be developed for your child by a team consisting of the parent(s), a CSIU service coordinator, and members of the CSIU Early Intervention staff. These services are also provided at no cost to families whose children qualify and may include a Developmental Specialist, along with specific therapies such as Occupational, Physical, Speech and Language, Hearing and Vision. If your child is enrolled at DCDC, his/her therapist can deliver services during your child’s time in the Center. The staff at DCDC will also include these goals and objectives into their daily program for your child.

If you would like help with a referral for your child or would like more information about the early intervention program, please call us at (570) 275-4047 and ask to speak with the Early Intervention Coordinator.