Consultation

Early Intervention is a statewide, community-based program that offers therapeutic and support services to children experiencing or at risk for developmental delays and their families. Sixty-three programs provide comprehensive, integrated services, utilizing a family-centered approach designed to meet the developmental needs of each child and the needs of the family related to enhancing the child’s development.

In FY00, in an effort to most appropriately serve children with more extensive medical and health needs, the Department of Public Health’s (DPH) Division for Special Health Needs, in collaboration with the Massachusetts Office of Child Care Services, awarded contracts for community agencies to serve as Regional Consultation Programs (RCP’s). The seven RCP’s (one in each of the six DPH regions with the Northeast region having an additional RCP) provide consultation to eligible families and to programs in their communities.

Each RCP is comprised of a multidisciplinary team managed by the Program Coordinator. The team provides access to a range of consultative expertise in areas such as special medical needs, feeding positioning, adaptive equipment, and assistive technology. To conform to Early Intervention standards, home visits and visits to community settings are provided as necessary for effective individualized service.

The RCP’s provide direct assistance to eligible families as well as build capacity within early intervention programs and other community based settings to address the needs of children who have complex care requirements, multiple disabilities, and/or extensive medical/health needs by expanding the skills and knowledge of service providers. In addition, each RCP provides technical assistance and consultation to Child Care Resource and Referral agencies which offer families of children with disabilities customized services that provide additional support during the search, enrollment and placement of their child with a disability into a child care setting.