Early ACCESS is a partnership between families with young children, birth through age 3, and providers from local Public Health, Human Services, Child Health Specialty Clinics, Area Education Agencies and other community programs. Early ACCESS is a voluntary program, and services are provided by AEA staff at no cost to parents/guardians.
We help families identify needs and services that will be beneficial to their child and family. Early ACCESS providers support families in learning to address their child’s needs within natural environments using a team approach. Parents and guardians are a child’s first teachers, and they learn best in their daily routines and activities.
The role of early intervention is to support parents and families to help their children learn and grow throughout their everyday activities and routines. Early ACCESS service providers work with parents and other caregivers to help their children develop to their fullest potential.
Early ACCESS supports and services can include:
- Identifying a family’s daily routines, priorities and needs for their child to establish goals that are important for the family
- Planning and practicing interventions that can be used by families and/or other caregivers throughout the day in the child’s and family’s routines and activities
- Coordinating evaluations, assessments, meetings and the development of the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)
For additional information about Early ACCESS in Iowa, visit:
A Family Guide to Early ACCESS For Infants, Toddlers & Families
Read this one-page handout for families or watch the video to learn more about early intervention in Iowa.