Guide for Families
Welcome! We are glad you are here.
The Infant & Toddler Connection (ITC) of the Heartland partners with families of infants and toddlers, birth through age 2, who have developmental delays, disabilities, or atypical development. Our goal is to support your child's learning and development by working alongside you in your child's everyday routines and activities.
Longwood University serves as the Local Lead Agency for ITC Heartland, which provides Early Intervention services throughout Amelia, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Lunenburg, Nottoway, and Prince Edward counties.
Early Intervention
Early Intervention is a statewide system of supports and services available to eligible infants and toddlers and their families under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Early Intervention recognizes that families are a child's first and most important teachers. Rather than focusing only on therapy sessions, Early Intervention helps families build their child's skills during everyday activities such as meals, playtime, bath time, dressing, story time, and community outings.
After a Referral
After a referral is received, an ITC Heartland team member will contact your family to explain the Early Intervention process and answer any questions you may have.
The process typically includes:
- Intake with your family
- Developmental screening (when appropriate)
- Eligibility determination by qualified Early Intervention professionals
- Assessment for Service Planning (ASP)
- Development of an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP), if your child is eligible
Every step of the process is completed with your family's participation and consent.
An Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)
An Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) is a plan developed together with your family that identifies:
- Your child's strengths and developmental needs
- Your family's priorities, concerns, and resources
- Functional outcomes that are meaningful to your family
- Early Intervention services and supports that will help your family achieve those outcomes
Your IFSP is reviewed regularly and updated as your child grows and your family's needs change.
Early Intervention Services
Depending on your child's needs, services may include:
- Service Coordination
- Developmental Services
- Speech-Language Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Physical Therapy
- Vision Services
- Audiology
- Assistive Technology
- Family Training and Counseling
- Nutrition Services
- Nursing Services
- Psychological Services
- Social Work Services
Services are determined through the IFSP process and are individualized for each child and family.
Where Services Take Place
Most Early Intervention services occur in natural environments where your child lives, learns, and plays.
These locations may include:
- Your home
- Child care programs
- Community settings
- Parks and playgrounds
- Other places your family spends time
Some intake visits, developmental screenings, assessments, and IFSP meetings may also be held at our ITC Heartland office.
Your Service Coordinator
Every family is assigned a Service Coordinator who serves as your primary contact throughout your Early Intervention experience.
Your Service Coordinator will:
- Help you understand the Early Intervention process.
- Coordinate assessments and services.
- Connect your family with community resources.
- Monitor your child's progress.
- Coordinate IFSP reviews.
- Assist with transition planning as your child approaches age three.
Your Rights
As a participant in Early Intervention, your family has rights and procedural safeguards under IDEA Part C.
These include:
- The right to participate in all decisions regarding your child's services.
- The right to give or refuse consent.
- The right to receive prior written notice of proposed actions.
- The right to review your child's records.
- The right to confidentiality.
- The right to file a complaint, request mediation, or request a due process hearing if concerns arise.
Your Service Coordinator will review these rights with you and answer any questions.
Contact ITC Heartland
Have questions about early intervention or want to learn more about services? Contact the ITC Heartland team.
Infant & Toddler Connection of the Heartland
158 South Street
Farmville, VA 23901
Our office is located in Midtown Farmville, next to Chick-fil-A.
Phone: (434) 395-2967
Fax: (434) 395-2969
Email: leekl@longwood.edu