MDS Birth to Three: Partnering with Families
MDS Birth to Three is part of the national Early Intervention program for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families. The program is administered by the New Hampshire Bureau of Developmental Services’ Family Supported Early Supports & Services (FCESS).
At MDS Birth to Three, we believe that much of who we become is the result of our experiences within the first three years of life. All families, with the necessary supports and resources, can enhance their children’s learning and development. The primary role of a service provider in early intervention is to work with and support family members and caregivers in children’s lives.
Early Intervention builds upon and provides supports and resources to assist family members and caregivers to enhance children’s learning and development through everyday learning opportunities.
Key Principles in Our Services
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Infants and toddlers learn best through everyday experiences and interactions with familiar people in familiar contexts.
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All families, with the necessary supports and resources, can enhance their children’s learning and development.
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The primary role of a service provider in early intervention is to work with and support family members and caregivers in children’s lives.
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The early intervention process is individualized to reflect the child’s and family members’ preferences, learning styles and cultural beliefs.
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Families’ goals must be functional and based on children’s and families’ needs and family-identified priorities.
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The family's priorities, needs and interests are addressed most appropriately by a primary provider who represents and receives team and community support.
Contact Information:
103 Roxbury Street, Suite 102, Keene, NH 03431
Phone: (603) 352-0165 Fax: (603) 352-2656
The Referral Process
Parents, caregivers (with parental permission) and members of the medical community can make a referral to Early Supports & Services through the intake coordinator at Monadnock Developmental Services, 603-352-1304. After the area agency intake process, a team from MDS Birth to Three will conduct a developmental assessment to determine eligibility.
Who Is Eligible?
To be eligible for services, children must be under three years of age and have a developmental delay or be at risk for a developmental delay in one or more of the following areas of development: physical, cognitive, communication, social-emotional, and/or adaptive.
If you are unsure if your child is eligible for services, then please consider having a developmental evaluation. It is completed at no cost to you and will probably provide valuable information about your child’s development.
Services for Families
- Developmental evaluations
- Guidance on how to incorporate therapeutic activities into the family’s routines
- Special Instruction
- Speech Pathology
- Occupational Therapy
- Physical Therapy
- Service Coordination linking families with:
* Information about community resources
* Assistance with transitioning from Early Intervention
* Advocacy Groups
* Feeding/nutrition programs
* Special Medical Services
* Child Development Clinic
* M.I.C.E. (Multi-sensory Intervention through Consultation and Education)
* Neuromotor Clinic
Funding
MDS Birth to Three provides services under contract with Monadnock Developmental Services. Services are funded by private insurance, Medicaid, and State and Federal programs.
MDS Birth to Three is a program of Monadnock Developmental Services, the area agency that supports people with disabilities. For 40 years, MDS has been working in partnership with families to help children learn and develop.
