Children experiencing developmental delays or disabilities and children who may be at risk of experiencing developmental delays are eligible for ECIP services.
These delays may be:
- cognitive, such as difficulty problem-solving or reasoning;
- physical, such as difficulty walking or using utensils;
- social, such as difficulty interacting with others;
- emotional, such as difficulty coping with negative emotions; or
- communicative, such as difficulty talking or understanding speech.
Children do not require any diagnosis to begin home-visiting services through ECIP.
ECIP work is most successful when delays are addressed at an early stage. Participation can begin at birth, or as soon as the family notices a delay in development.
Involvement in the program is voluntary. Parents may refer themselves to their local ECIP or be referred by others in the family's care-circle, such as health care professionals or educators, with parental consent.