Seeking and Securing Services

Your child starts at an early childhood center and you receive the first call about a behavior.  You carefully listen to what the teacher says and attribute it to a “bad” day.  You then receive call number 2, 3, 4, or higher.  Now, what do you do?!   Where do you turn and who can help?

Anyone residing in Bucks County can reach out to the Local Interagency Coordinating Council (BCICC).  This agency assists parents, early interventions specialists, and community partners in gathering information and making informed decisions.  The council includes parents and representatives from the Bucks County Intermediate Unit (IU), the Bucks County Department of Health, the Bucks County Department of Mental Health and Developmental Programs, and educators.  

Service agencies distinguish between Early Intervention (EI)  from birth to 3 years of age and Preschool Early Intervention from 3-5 years of age.  Please note that services may only be secured by a parent or guardian and not by teachers or administrators.

In Lower Bucks County for children ages birth to 3 years of age, reaching out to Merakey is the starting point (www.merakey.org).  Merakey case managers will work with families to answer questions and to obtain the evaluations needed to start the process. Pennsylvania requires services to begin within 14 days from approval of the individualized family service plan (IFSP)Statistics reveal that 99.97% of eligible  infants and toddlers receive services at home or in community settings.

For children ages 3 years to 5 years of age, the process begins with completing a request form through  Bucks County Intermediate Unit (PEI Screening Request Form – Formstack).  The Bucks County IU is the non-competitive sole source provider of services to students with disabilities contracted through school districts in Bucks County. The Individualized Education Program (IEP) must be completed within 30 calendar days after the evaluation teams issue the report and put into action within ten school days after completion. Services may be delivered in the preschool setting or at home. 

Many parents fear the stigma associated with evaluation and services.  Please note that there  must be a qualifying diagnosis to start the process.  The plans must be evaluated yearly to determine the need to continue or terminate delivery of services.  

The earlier the intervention begins, the better the outcome. Studies cite endless positive benefits without any detrimental effects.  Any quality child care program will be more than happy to assist  you in navigating through the process. An inclusive program values student differences and supports each child’s learning needs to the greatest extent possible.

Our two main locations are in Newtown and Warrington and we support the Doylestown area.