Early Learning Services - Family Information

Elwyn Early Learning Services provides preschool early intervention services to eligible children, ages 3 through the age of beginners, or through the transition to school-age programming, in Philadelphia County and the city of Chester.

Welcome to the Elwyn Early Learning Services (ELS) Family Information site. Elwyn ELS provides intake services, multi-disciplinary evaluations to determine eligibility, case management, also referred to as LEA Representation, and preschool early intervention services. Families can utilize the wide array of information offered on this portion of our website to learn more about Elwyn Early Learning Services, preschool early intervention processes and procedures, developmental norms and access necessary contact information.

2021 Early Intervention Family Survey

2021 PA Early Intervention Family Survey:

Families play a vital role in Early Intervention! We are asking all families of children currently receiving Early Intervention services to complete the 2021 PA Early Intervention Family Survey:

EI Family Survey Flyer - English.pdf

EI Family Survey Flyer - Spanish.pdf

Your responses will help guide efforts at the statewide and local levels to improve services and results for children and families.

Please read each question carefully and base your responses on your thoughts on that specific question.
We understand that families may have experiences with a variety of different people in Early Intervention. We are asking that you consider your experiences with these individuals as a whole.
Your responses are completely confidential!
The survey closes on June 30, 2021

How to Make a Preschool Early Intervention Referral

Welcome to the Elwyn Early Learning Services (ELS) "How to Make a Preschool Early Intervention Referral eTraining" brought to you by the Elwyn Early Learning Services Professional Development Team.

Click Here to watch our video.

What to Expect

STEP 1: INTAKE MEETING
Call Elwyn Early Learning Services (ELS) at 215-222-8054 to refer for Preschool Early Intervention. Intake Coordinators are available Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Intake Coordinators gather demographic information and ask about the concerns you have with your child’s development. This call typically takes about 10 minutes. After reviewing your concerns, you can request that the multidisciplinary evaluation (MDE) be scheduled. The Intake Coordinator will schedule while on the call with you. To ensure a time that will work best, have your calendar available. MDE time slots are available Monday through Thursday in both the morning and the afternoon. Intake Coordinators will review the paperwork that you will receive in the mail. It will be mailed within 10 days. Please let us know if this paperwork is not received. Included in the mailing is the Permission to Evaluate (PTE). This form gives you the option of moving forward with the MDE as proposed. Elwyn Early Learning Services cannot proceed until the signed Permission to Evaluate is received. The options will be outlined; check the appropriate box and return the document, as quickly as possible. An envelope will be provided. We cannot move to STEP 2 without your signature giving consent on the Permission to Evaluate.
STEP 2: INITIAL EVALUATION/ASSESSMENT
At the time of the scheduled evaluation, a team of multi-disciplinary evaluators will assess all areas of your child’s development to determine if your child is in need of special education services. These areas include medical, vision, and hearing history, communication, knowledge and learning, physical, social-emotional, and adaptive development. Once the evaluation is complete, you will receive a written Evaluation Report (ER) in the mail that details your child’s strengths and needs, and any delays they may be experiencing in their development. The report will be sent to you within 60 days of Elwyn’s receipt of the signed Permission to Evaluate. A member of the evaluation team will contact you to review the Evaluation Report if your child is not eligible for Preschool Early Intervention (Special Education).
STEP 3: INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PLAN (IEP) MEETING
If the evaluation shows that your child is displaying delays in their development, a Local Education Agency representative (LEA Rep) will be assigned. The Local Education Agency Rep will call you to review the Evaluation Report and schedule an Individualized Education Plan meeting within 30 days of the date the Evaluation Report was sent to you. Parents play a vital role as a member of the Individualized Education Plan team. Your input is valued and necessary to create the most appropriate plan to meet your child’s needs. At the Individualized Education Plan meeting, a plan for the next year will be created with goals for your child to assist them in their development. At the end of the Individualized Education Plan meeting, the Local Education Agency Rep will present you with a Notice of Recommended Educational Placement (NOREP), which details the discussion and recommendations for your child’s educational placement. You have specific rights regarding the Notice of Recommended Educational Placement that will be explained before the Local Education Agency Rep asks you to sign it. You have the option to approve or not approve the placement recommended. This will also be explained. Elwyn Early Learning Services cannot provide Early Intervention services without your approval. Therefore, STEP 4 cannot begin until we have received the Notice of Recommended Educational Placement with your signature stating that you approve.
STEP 4: SERVICE DELIVERY
The delivery of Early Intervention services must begin within 14 days of the Individualized Education Plan meeting, if a signed approved Notice of Recommended Educational Placement is received, unless your child is transitioning from Infant Toddler Early Intervention (ITEI), in which case services will begin on your child’s 3rd birthday.

We have prepared our information for What to Expect in Spanish and Mandarin.

COVID-19 Information

COVID Compensatory Services (CCS) for Preschool Early Intervention Families
COVID Compensatory Services (CCS) - Spanish Transcript
COVID Compensatory Services (CCS) - Mandarin Transcript

Elwyn Early Learning Services Parent Letter 12-08-2020

Elwyn Early Learning Services Parent Letter Updated 01-21-2021

Elwyn Early Learning Services Tele-Intervention Parent Letter 11-11-20

Health and Safety Plan

Early Learning Services COVID-19 Parent Resource Guide

Family Resource Center

The Family Resource Center is a supplemental support program created for Elwyn Early Learning Service families and caregivers designed to offer guidance and support with a wide array of local resources.

Through the Family Resource Center, you can find city-wide resources and other
information to successfully navigate early intervention, community supports,
programs or activities, parent training, and early childhood programming.

Call us with any questions or concerns, at your convenience, and our
Family Resource Center team will be happy to assist you.

Services and Evaluation:

To refer a child for services or an evaluation, please call 215-222-8054.
Press 1 for English, or 2 for Spanish, Press 1 again for intake.

Hours of Operation:

Monday through Thursday
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Call with questions!
We are here for you.

Please find our information for Family Resource Center available in English, Mandarin, and Spanish

Developmental Norms

The Elwyn Early Learning Services Early Childhood Developmental Skills Reference Guide is designed as a resource to provide families, as well as early childhood and early intervention personnel with information as it relates to general, typical developmental skill trajectories across the preschool age range.

This resource is organized by each of the major developmental domains addressed within preschool Early Intervention (EI) and aligns with the Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards to offer helpful considerations for effective Individualized Education Plan development and developmentally appropriate intervention. It is important to note that these lists have been adapted from a number of references to ensure a cohesive, widespread portrayal of development specific to the Preschool Early Intervention population.

Regional Map

Regional Contact Information

Phone: (215) 222-4181

Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday; 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Email Addresses:

ELS North-Northeast - ELS-North-Northeast@elwyn.org

ELS Northwast-Central - ELS-Northwest-Central@elwyn.org

ELS South-West - ELS-South-West@elwyn.org

ELS Chester - ELS-Chester@elwyn.org

Early Childhood Education & Early Childhood Special Education Programs

The research is clear – giving children a strong start and fostering positive early childhood experiences is key to a healthy & successful future! The city of Philadelphia offers many public Early Childhood Education (ECE) program options, including Head Start, Pre-K Counts and PHL Pre-K classrooms. There are also a wide array of private ECE programs available to families across the city. If you need assistance locating an ECE program, you can utilize the Great Philly Schools website to explore various programs in your area: https://greatphillyschools.org/s/.

For some children with disabilities, Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) programs might be a better fit. ECSE programs are also available across the city and enrollment is an IEP team decision based on a child’s needs. If you are interested in an ECSE program for your child, please reach out to your child’s LEA Representative or you can contact the programs below for more information.

Elwyn West, 5548 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, Pa
215-471-3320
Programs: PreK Counts PHL preK, Early Childhood Special Education Center

Elwyn South, 1930 S. Broad St, Philadelphia, Pa
215-422-4902
Programs: Early Childhood Special Education Center

Elwyn Seedlings, 3300 Henry Ave, Philadelphia, Pa
215-254-2002
Programs: Private Academic School, Early Childhood Special Education Center

Additional Resources

Temple University’s Families First program:

Temple University’s Families First program, through the Institute on Disabilities, is a free parent empowerment training and support program dedicated to families receiving early intervention in Philadelphia. All families receiving early intervention services in Philadelphia are welcome to access the free training and networking opportunities that Families First has to offer! This program is partially funded by Elwyn ELS.

Temple Institute on Disabilities & Families First

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