Navigating the early years of a child’s life, especially when developmental concerns arise, can be overwhelming for families. Fortunately, programs designed for infant and toddler care are available to provide support and guidance. These programs, often referred to as early intervention services, play a crucial role in addressing developmental delays and disabilities in young children. One such valuable resource is the Maryland Infants and Toddlers Program (MITP), a family-centered system dedicated to enhancing the developmental journey of children from birth through age four.
Exploring the Maryland Infants and Toddlers Program (MITP)
The MITP operates as a statewide system in Maryland, focusing on delivering early intervention services to infants and toddlers who are experiencing developmental delays or have disabilities. At its core, MITP emphasizes a family-centered approach. This means the program acknowledges and respects each family’s unique concerns, priorities, and cultural background. By focusing on a child’s individual strengths and needs within the family context, MITP aims to empower families to support their child’s growth and development.
A key component of MITP is the network of Local Infants and Toddlers Programs (LITPs). Across Maryland, 24 LITPs serve as the local arms of the MITP system. These programs are collaborations between local departments of education, health, social services, and various public and private service providers. LITPs are the direct service providers, ensuring that early intervention services are accessible throughout the state. These services are designed to maximize a child’s developmental potential before they reach school age and can encompass a wide range of support, including:
- Audiology services
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Speech-language pathology
- Family training and support
- Special instruction tailored to the child’s needs
- Assistive technology
- Health services
- Home visits
Who is Eligible for Infant and Toddler Care Programs like MITP?
State regulations outline the specific criteria for a child from birth through age two to be eligible for early intervention services through MITP. Eligibility can be determined in one of three ways:
- Developmental Delay: A child exhibiting a 25% delay in one or more of the five key developmental areas: cognitive development, physical development (including vision and hearing), communication development, social or emotional development, and adaptive development.
- Atypical Development: A child displaying atypical development or behavior in one or more of these developmental areas. This atypicality must be interfering with their current development and have a high likelihood of resulting in a developmental delay later on, even if current testing doesn’t show a 25% delay.
- Diagnosed Condition: A child diagnosed with a physical or mental condition that is known to have a high probability of causing developmental delay.
Maryland’s Extended IFSP Option: Continuity of Care
Maryland offers an innovative approach to early intervention through its Extended IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan) Option. This option provides families with the choice to continue with their IFSP beyond their child’s third birthday if the child is found eligible for preschool special education and related services due to a disability.
The Extended IFSP Option bridges the gap between infant and toddler services and preschool special education, creating a more seamless transition. It blends the family-centered approach of early intervention with the strengths of special education and preschool programs. This initiative reflects Maryland’s commitment to building a comprehensive birth-to-kindergarten system of early childhood intervention and preschool special education services.
Accessing Infant and Toddler Care Program Information
For families in Maryland interested in learning more or making a referral to the Infants and Toddlers Program, several resources are available. You can find contact information for your specific county’s Infants and Toddlers Program or visit the MITP online referral website for more information and to initiate the referral process.
For further inquiries or detailed information about the Maryland Infants and Toddlers Program, you can also contact the Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Early Intervention and Special Education Services directly. They are a valuable resource for understanding infant and toddler care programs and navigating the early intervention system.
Contact Information:
Maryland State Department of Education
Division of Early Intervention and Special Education Services
200 West Baltimore Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone: (410) 767-0244
Fax: (410) 333-8165
