NM Early Childhood Education & Care Department

Referral Sources for Early Childhood Intervention include:


  • ​Families with concerns about their child's development
  • Physicians suspecting a delay in one or more areas of development
  • ​Community agencies referring children who could benefit from ECI services


Early Childhood Intervention Services


​Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) is a service provided for families of children (birth to three years of age) with developmental delays, disabilities, or certain medical diagnoses that could impact the child's development.  This service is provided at no cost to the family, as part of the federal Family Infant Toddler (FIT) Program. Zia's ECI professionals support families in meeting their child's developmental and health-related needs by giving families ideas and suggestions for activities that reinforce their child's development during the family's daily routines and activities. 


​Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSPs) are developed in collaboration with the family and Zia's ECI professionals to identify goals and strategies to meet these goals. Furthermore, IFSPs also include descriptions of the supports and services the family will receive from Zia's ECI professionals. Each family is assigned a Family Service Coordinator to insure all services are being provided and to help families access other services and learn how to advocate for their child. In addition, the family and family's team will determine who will be the lead provider of services for their child. ​​


Once an IFSP is established, services can be provided in any setting where the child spends his or her day, including the family home, child care facility, or other community setting.



Services available through Early Childhood Intervention


Service Coordination

Developmental Screenings​ (birth - 3yrs)

Developmental Evaluations

Speech & Language Evaluations & Therapy

Physical Evaluations & Therapy

Occupational Evaluations & Therapy​

Nutritional Assessments & Services

Cognitive Intervention​

Functional Vision Services