Early Learning Services - Family Information

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.

The Elwyn Early Learning Services Early Childhood Developmental Skills Reference Guide is designed as a resource to provide 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.

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

Elwyn ELS Early Childhood Special Education program information (these could be information pulled from the current “Preschool Programs” section of the ELS site. Although, only one of those offers actual preschool placements, the other two programs only offer special education classrooms, so wording needs to be updated)

Temple Institute on Disabilities & Families First

Temple Institute provides parent training & support for us, funded by Elwyn