Early Intervention Programs

Where To Begin

The Nevada Early Intervention Services (NEIS) System provides services to children birth until age three with developmental delay/s or disabilities, and their families. If you are concerned about your child's development, the first step is to have your child referred for evaluation, which looks at your child's basic skills. This evaluation is free of charge. You can refer your child directly or you can have your child's physician, or another professional make the referral for you. You will be assigned a service coordinator who will help you through the process.  Below is a list of the various Early Intervention Programs with contact information. For additional information please see the link for Frequently Asked Questions: (FAQs).

Children Over Three (3) Years Old

The Nevada Early Intervention Services (NEIS) System provides services to children birth until age three (3) with developmental delays or disabilities, and their families. The Nevada Department of Education (NDE) provides services to children from ages three (3) to (22) with developmental delays or disabilities, and their families. If you have concerns or would like an evaluation for children three (3) years of age and up, contact your local school district for information: School and District Information (nv.gov)

Nevada Early Intervention Services (NEIS) Parent Handbooks

• Parent Handbook - English Revised March 2020
• Parent Handbook - Spanish Revised March 2020

What are my rights and why are they important?

Rights protect your family and child. All families enrolled in early intervention programs in Nevada have the same rights. Your rights within the early intervention process begin as soon as you are referred to a program and continue as long as you and your child participate in the early intervention program. The IDEA Part C law governs early intervention services and gives families’ rights. You can find more information about these Part C laws at: http://idea.ed.gov/

• Parent Rights & Responsibilities English
• Parent Rights & Responsibilities Spanish

Disclaimer

The inclusion of any link on this website does not imply endorsement.
The following collection of videos were created in other states’ programs and may not be exact in regards to Nevada but are similar enough that the information is useful for understanding early intervention.

Informational videos for families who are, or will be receiving early intervention services

• 1. "Harper Hope: A Parent's View of the Power of Early Intervention" – A video of a parent's view of early intervention services. (runtime 15:03)
• 2. “Early Intervention Home Visits” – A video on what families can expect during a home visit. (runtime 11:45)
• 3. “Natural Learning Environments” – A video on “where” early intervention services may take place. (runtime 16:00)
• 4. “IFSP Meeting – Introductions to the Team & Family Priorities” – This video introduces the family and team members, reviews the purpose of the Individualized Family Service Plan or IFSP, and highlights the service coordinator's role at the IFSP meeting. Also includes discussion around family priorities and general tips to ensure families are at the center of an IFSP meeting. (runtime 8:02)
• 5. "Writing an IFSP" – A video about how your family can be an essential team member during the development and implementation of your child's IFSP. (runtime 13:01)
• 6. "Child Outcomes Step-by-Step” – This video describes and illustrates the three child outcomes, reported on by all state early intervention (Part C ) programs, and explains functioning necessary for each child to be an active and successful participant at home, in the community, and in other places like a child care program or preschool. (runtime 8:43)
• 7. “Supporting Children by Improving Family Outcomes” –This resource video describes the importance of supporting families, collecting data on family outcomes, and using the data to improve the program (runtime 13:19)
• 8. "Let's Chat about Early Intervention" – A video about Parent's basic rights and procedural safeguards in early intervention. (runtime 11:09)
• 9. “Transition from Early Intervention to Preschool” – This video is about families who have had the benefit of receiving services from Early Intervention and are now preparing to receive school-based programs and services. (runtime 31:44)

Central Resource Directory - Project ASSIST and Early Childhood Special Education Library

One of the resources is Project ASSIST, a Central Resource Directory for information about organizations, programs or agencies that may provide services and supports for children and young adults up to 21 years with disabilities, and their families.

 Another resource available to families, professionals, educators, and staff working with young children with disabilities and their families is the Early Childhood Special Education Resource Library  in the IDEA Part C Office.  It contains hundreds of books, DVDs, and materials regarding children, families, disabilities, early intervention, childhood education, and more.  This library is available for use statewide.  Contact:   ProjectAssist@dhhs.nv.gov or (800) 522-0066.

• Project ASSIST - Nevada's Central Directory of Resources for Early Intervention
• Early Childhood Special Education Library

Early Intervention Services in Nevada are Provided by the Following Programs

Rural staff serves infants and toddlers with developmental disabilities and their families in rural northeastern Nevada; including the communities of Pershing, Humboldt, Upper Nye, Lander, Eureka, Elko, and White Pine counties.  For Early Intervention referrals statewide, please call: 1-800-522-0066

Nevada Early Intervention Services (NEIS) Northwest Region

NEIS Northwest provides family-centered multidisciplinary diagnostic and early intervention services around Washoe, Carson/Douglas, Lyon, Storey, Churchill and Mineral counties. Staff includes developmental specialists, a pediatrician, speech, physical and occupational therapists, nutritionists, audiologists and social workers. Several specialty clinics are offered such as genetics and metabolic clinics.  For Early Intervention referrals statewide, please call: 1-800-522-0066

• Northwest Region Community Resources Rev2013

Northwest Region Community Partners

Nevada Early Intervention Services (NEIS) Southern Region

Serving urban & rural Clark, Lower Nye, Esmeralda, and lower Lincoln counties. NEIS South is staffed by pediatricians, social workers, speech pathologist, audiologists, developmental specialists, nutritionists, physical and occupational therapists, and family specialists. Services include comprehensive evaluations, service coordination, infant and toddler intervention, and specialty clinics such as genetics, craniofacial, and metabolic clinics.  For Early Intervention referrals statewide, please call: 1-800-522-0066

Southern Region Community Partners

Training Resources Are In Development

For more information, please see the Nevada Early Intervention Professional Development Center (Nevada Early Intervention Professional Development Center (nv.gov)

Project Assist provides referrals to Early Intervention and resources at no cost

Topics

• IDEA Part C Office
• Interagency Coordinating Council
• Project Assist
• Publications