Early Intervention
What is Early Intervention?
Early Intervention is a specialized program, certified by the Department of Public Health, that provides services to young children who have or are at risk for developmental delays.
Kennedy-Donovan Center's Early Intervention Program is comprehensive, family-centered and community based.
Early Intervention supports each family's efforts to enhance the development of their child.
Turn To KDC
Kennedy-Donovan Center’s Early Intervention Program is the place to turn when your infant or toddler
(birth to age 36 months)
is faced with developmental challenges, such as:
- Developmental delays in gross and fine motor, receptive and expressive language, social-emotional, self-care or cognitive skills.
- Medical conditions or diagnoses affecting development.
- Environmental conditions which affect development such as need for parenting education or a need for social supports for the family.
Finding Help
Referrals are made to the Program by parents, physicians and other professionals in the community who have a concern about the child’s development and other concerns expressed by the family.
Developmental Evaluations
When a child is referred to early intervention, the team will complete a developmental evaluation. This evaluation will look at all areas of development and will determine the child’s eligibility for early intervention services.
Early Intervention Eligibility
Kennedy-Donovan Center’s Early Intervention Program is focused on the child and family. Parents/guardians and staff work in partnership to develop a creative, flexible and effective service to address the unique needs of their child and family. Eligibility criteria are established by the Department of Public Health and include a significant delay in one or more areas of development or a combination of four predetermined risk factors.
Services Occur in Natural Settings
Early Intervention Services are provided in natural settings such as home, child care centers or community play groups through:
- Developmental Evaluations
- Home Visits
- Child-Focused Groups
- Parent Support Groups
- Center Visits
The Early Intervention Program features:
- Professionally Trained Staff
- A Family-Centered Focus
- Specialized Equipment
- Fully Accessible Facilities
As part of the comprehensive approach to service provision, service coordination includes advocacy, information and referrals.
Greater Attleboro Area - brochure
Kennedy-Donovan Center
Early Intervention Program
25 Forest Street
Attleboro, MA 02740
508-226-6035
Serving the towns of: Attleboro, North Attleboro, Mansfield, Norton and Foxboro - brochure
Greater New Bedford Area-brochure
Kennedy-Donovan Center
Early Intervention Program
389 County Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
508-997-1570
Serving the towns of: Acushnet, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Gosnold, Marion, Mattapoisett, New Bedford, Rochester and Wareham -brochure
Greater Plymouth Area-brochure
Kennedy-Donovan Center
Early Intervention Program
64 Industrial Park Road
Plymouth, MA 02360
508-747-2012
Serving the towns of: Carver, Duxbury, Halifax, Hanover,
Hanson, Kingston, Marshfield, Pembroke, Plymouth and
Plympton - brochure
Serving Greater Southbridge Area and Connecticut - brochure
Kennedy-Donovan Center
Early Intervention Program
486 Worcester Street
Southbridge, MA 01550
508-765-0292
In Massachusetts, serving the towns of: Southbridge, Charlton, Sturbridge, Webster, Dudley, Oxford, Spencer, Brimfield, Wales, Holland, Warren and the Brookfields
In Connecticut, serving towns of: Ashford, Brooklyn, Eastford, Killingly, Pomfret, Putnam, Thompson, Union
and Woodstock - brochure