Early Intervention

We are here to help your infant or toddler thrive

Parents understand that the early years are the most important in a child’s development. At the same time, a parent might not know what to do if they suspect a developmental delay. The Meeting Street Early Intervention team helps parents determine their child’s needs through a thorough evaluation and if necessary provides the therapeutic services needed to support the child’s development. We offer most of these services in the child’s home making it convenient for parents and more effective for the children.

We are particularly skilled at serving children with social communication difficulties, social emotional concerns, and the medically fragile, including those with feeding issues.

It’s natural to be concerned if your child doesn’t meet traditional milestones. We help you find out why a child has not met a milestone since there can be a variety of reasons for the delay. Many children will catch up on their own; however, how will you know if your child is late to talk because of a hearing or other developmental concern? What if a delay in walking has to do with low vision or another problem? We help find these answers and then create an individual plan for the child based on their specific needs.

If you do not understand what your child is going through; if you are experiencing confusion, fear or doubts, please know that we are here to guide you and be your resource.

The most extensive Early Intervention program in Rhode Island

Meeting Street offers children and families a highly personalized, comprehensive and kindhearted approach to this very important step in early development. Our team of service coordinators, therapists, nurses, social workers, educators, nutritionists, and interpreters work with families to create and implement a customized service plan for each child based on an assessment in all areas of development – social, self-help, communication, motor and thinking skills, as well as health and family needs.

Our services can come to you

Meeting Street serves families from all over the state. Understanding that each family has its own routines and customs, our services typically take place in a child's home or other “natural” surroundings – such as parks and playgrounds, preschools, and childcare centers. This not only provides a convenience to our families, but also teaches children and families to apply what they have learned to their everyday lives.

An evaluation will address your concerns

Regardless of the need, Meeting Street is ready to help. We appreciate that every child and family is unique, that parents are a child's first and best teacher, and we take the time to get to know both the child’s and parents’ needs on a personal level.

For more information please submit this information request form, or call our referral coordinator directly at 401-533-9104 to schedule an initial visit. Pediatricians, social workers, childcare providers or any other concerned person can refer a child to Early Intervention. Following a phone call, we will schedule an in-home visit with you and your child. During this home visit, we will ask some questions about your child so that we can determine the most appropriate evaluation. We will also ask you to complete some forms so that we can gather information from other sources, such as your pediatrician.

With this information, we can then schedule the most appropriate type of evaluation to assess your child’s needs. Once the evaluation is complete, team members will discuss what they have learned about your child. Working with you, they will develop goals for your child, which will become the heart of your family's Individualized Family Service Plan.

No out- of-pocket costs for residents of RI

Meeting Street pioneered Early Intervention and was instrumental in drafting legislation so all children have access to these vital services with no out of pocket cost to families. We provide evaluations, services in natural environments and support for children from birth to age 3 and for their families. There is no out-of-pocket cost for residents of Rhode Island who are eligible for these services; however private (commercial) health insurance, medical assistance and state funding will be accessed for payment of covered Early Intervention services.