> Quick Contact — Child Find Referral Line: 1-800-543-3098 (Voice/TDD) | En Español: 1-866-450-2838 > Online Referral: NeverTooEarlyAL.org | Email: REHAB--Childfind@rehab.alabama.gov > Mail/Fax: ADRS/EI, 602 S. Lawrence St., Montgomery, AL 36104 | Fax: (334) 293-7393 > Also contact Help Me Grow Alabama: 1-833-939-0336 | HelpMeGrowAlabama.org
---
What Is Alabama's Early Intervention System?
Alabama's Early Intervention System (AEIS) is a statewide program that provides supports and services for infants and toddlers under age 3 who have a developmental delay or a medical diagnosis that could delay normal development [1]. The lead agency is the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services (ADRS), which runs AEIS in partnership with the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind (AIDB) [2]. Services are delivered through a network of local independent early intervention programs across all 67 Alabama counties [3].
The goal of early intervention is to help young children with disabilities and developmental delays become active participants in their early childhood years and beyond [4]. A key focus is training and equipping parents and caregivers so they can be their child's first and most effective teachers in everyday routines [5].
---
Who Is Eligible?
Your child may be eligible for AEIS if they are birth to age 3 AND meet one of the following criteria [6]:
- Diagnosed condition: Has a diagnosed physical or mental condition that has a high probability of resulting in developmental delay (for example: chromosomal abnormalities, genetic or congenital disorders, sensory impairments, inborn errors of metabolism, nervous system disorders, congenital infections, severe attachment disorders, or exposure to toxic substances) [7].
- Developmental delay: Is experiencing a 25% or greater developmental delay in one or more of the following areas [8]:
- Cognitive development
- Physical development (including vision and hearing)
- Communication/language development
- Social or emotional development
- Adaptive skills development
> Note on prematurity: The diagnosis of prematurity as an eligible condition can only be used for children up to 18 months of age, and a premature child's age is not adjusted after 18 months [9].
How Is Eligibility Determined?
Eligibility is established in one of three ways [10]:
- A 25% or greater delay on an approved evaluation tool in at least one developmental area.
- A documented medical diagnosis likely to result in developmental delay.
- Informed Clinical Opinion (ICO) — used for initial eligibility when test scores alone may not confirm a delay, but qualified specialists have clinical reason to believe the child needs services.
Eligibility is determined after a family is assigned a Service Coordinator who completes a full evaluation with the child. This evaluation can be done at your home, daycare, or another setting that is comfortable for your family [11]. All early intervention services are voluntary — family participation is never required [12].
---
How to Make a Referral (Step-by-Step)
Anyone who is concerned about a child's development — parent, doctor, daycare provider, neighbor — can make a referral to AEIS at no cost [13].
Step 1 — Identification
As a parent, the process begins the moment you notice something that concerns you about your child's development, or when a doctor identifies a condition that may cause delays [14]. Hospitals, pediatricians, well-baby clinics, Head Start programs, daycares, and social service agencies are all common places where children are first identified [15].
Step 2 — Make a Child Find Referral
You can refer your child three ways [16]:
| Method | Details | |---|---| | Phone | Call Child Find: 1-800-543-3098 (Voice/TDD) or En Español 1-866-450-2838 | | Online | Visit NeverTooEarlyAL.org to submit a referral form | | Fax or Email | Fax form to (334) 293-7393 or email REHAB--Childfind@rehab.alabama.gov |
> Important timing note: If a professional (such as your child's doctor) is making the referral on your behalf, they must do so within two working days of identifying your child's concern [17].
Information Required to Make a Referral
The following information will be requested [18]:
- Child's legal name, date of birth, and race/ethnicity
- Reason for the referral (area of concern)
- Parent/guardian contact information (name, address, phone)
- Name and phone number of the child's primary care physician
- Name and phone number of the person making the referral and their relationship to the child
- Whether the family has agreed to the referral
A Social Security number is requested but not required — if unavailable, a substitute number can be assigned [19].
Step 3 — What Happens After the Referral?
Once Child Find receives the referral, it is assigned to a District Early Intervention Coordinator (DEIC) in your community within two days [20]. The local coordinator will contact your family to explain the EI system and arrange an evaluation and assessment to determine if your child is eligible for EI services — all within the 45-day federal timeline from the date of referral [21].
---
Services Provided Through AEIS
Once your child is found eligible, an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) is created. The IFSP is a written plan that outlines your family's goals for your child and describes all services your child will receive [22]. It is developed with you — parents play a central role in deciding what goals matter most.
Available Services (as determined by your child's IFSP) [23]:
- Assistive Technology
- Audiology
- Family Training, Counseling & Home Visits
- Health Services
- Medical Services (for diagnostic purposes)
- Nursing
- Nutrition
- Occupational Therapy
- Physical Therapy
- Psychological Services
- Service Coordination
- Signed Language and Cued Language Services
- Social Work
- Special Instruction (developmental specialist visits)
- Speech-Language Pathology
- Transportation and Related Costs
- Vision Services
- Interpretation Services (when needed) [24]
All services are delivered in your child's natural environment — typically your home, daycare, playground, or wherever your family spends time [25]. All early intervention services must begin within 30 days of parents signing the IFSP [26].
> There is no cost to families for EI services. AEIS is funded through the U.S. Department of Education and Alabama's Education Trust Fund [27].
How Services Are Delivered
AEIS uses a Routines-Based Model (RBM) — meaning providers work with you during everyday family activities (mealtime, bath time, play) to help your child learn within natural moments of the day, rather than setting up separate "clinic-style" sessions [28]. The focus is on building your skills so you can support your child every day, not just during provider visits.
---
Special Support for Children with Autism
If your child has a confirmed diagnosis of autism or shows characteristics of autism, AEIS providers follow five evidence-based practices adopted in September 2020 as AEIS best practices for children under 3 [29]. These are based on Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBI) — strategies implemented in natural settings that involve your child's caregiver as an active partner [30]. If your child has autism characteristics, the IFSP may also include a Social Communication service component [31].
---
Transition: What Happens at Age 3?
AEIS services end when your child turns 3. Transitioning out of EI is one of the most important events in your child's early years [32]. Planning should begin early:
- At 27 months: A written transition plan is added to the IFSP [33].
- Before 33 months: A Transition Planning Meeting is held with your local school system (LEA) to explore eligibility for preschool special education services under IDEA Part B [34].
- At age 3: Your child may be referred to your local school system for evaluation for preschool special education services. Eligibility standards for Part B are different from Part C [35].
You have the right to opt out of having your child's information sent to the local school system — ask your Service Coordinator about the Opt-Out Form [36].
---
Help Me Grow Alabama — A Connected Resource
Help Me Grow (HMG) Alabama is a free information and referral line that connects families of children birth to age 8 to health and developmental resources in their community [37]. It is a program of the Alabama Partnership for Children and serves all 67 Alabama counties [38].
Call or enroll: 1-833-939-0336 | HelpMeGrowAlabama.org | Email: referrals@apcteam.org
HMG can:
- Connect you to Early Intervention and other community services [39]
- Provide free developmental screenings (Ages and Stages Questionnaire / ASQ-3) [40]
- Assign a Care Coordinator to answer questions and follow up to ensure your family gets connected [41]
- Host Books, Balls & Blocks — free community events offering developmental screenings for children birth to 5 [42]
HMG uses developmental screening tools in both English and Spanish [43]. Services in Spanish are available [44].
---
Key Contacts at a Glance
| Resource | Contact | |---|---| | AEIS Child Find (EI Referral) | 1-800-543-3098 (Voice/TDD) | | EI Referral — En Español | 1-866-450-2838 | | EI Referral — Online | NeverTooEarlyAL.org | | EI Referral — Email | REHAB--Childfind@rehab.alabama.gov | | EI Referral — Fax | (334) 293-7393 | | ADRS State Office | 602 S. Lawrence St., Montgomery, AL 36104 | | ADRS Main Phone | (334) 293-7500 | | Help Me Grow Alabama | 1-833-939-0336 | | HMG Website | HelpMeGrowAlabama.org | | HMG Email | referrals@apcteam.org |
---
Sources
- Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services — Early Intervention System. https://www.rehab.alabama.gov/services/ei
- AEIS Handbook (2025 Edition). https://rehab.state.al.us/documents/ei/for_service_coordinators/AEIS%20Handbook%20(2025%2011-01%20Edition).pdf
- AEIS Brochure — Never Too Early (rev. 2023). https://www.rehab.alabama.gov/Documents/ADRSToday/AEIS%20Brochure%20Never%20Too%20Early%20-%20English%20(rev2023).pdf
- ADRS EI — Eligible Family's Guide to the EI System (2023). https://rehab.alabama.gov/documents/ei/for_families/Eligible%20Family%27s%20Guide%20to%20the%20EI%20System%202023.pdf
- ADRS — A Vital Message About Alabama's EI System. https://rehab.alabama.gov/documents/ei/for_service_coordinators/Vital%20Message%20(ENGLISH).pdf
- ADRS Child Find Procedures. https://www.rehab.alabama.gov/documents/ei/policies_and_procedures/Child%20Find%20Procedures.pdf
- AEIS Handbook (Feb. 2026 Edition). https://www.rehab.alabama.gov/documents/ei/for_service_coordinators/AEIS%20Handbook%202-15-26%20Edition.pdf
- ADRS — Child Find Referral Form and Info Sheet. https://www.rehab.alabama.gov/documents/ei/other/AEIS%20Child%20Find%20Referral%20Form%20and%20Info.pdf
- ADRS — Early Intervention Services Policy (rev. 2020). https://www.rehab.alabama.gov/documents/ei/policies_and_procedures/Early%20Intervention%20Services%20(Rev%2009-2020).pdf
- Alabama Public Health — Child Find Overview. https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/hcca/assets/aeis_childfind-overview.pdf
- ADRS — EI Vendor Application (rev. 2020). https://www.rehab.alabama.gov/documents/ei/other/EI%20Vendor%20application-revised-10-2020.pdf
- ADRS — Transition FAQ (rev. 2023). https://www.rehab.alabama.gov/documents/ei/for_service_coordinators/Transition%20FAQ%20(revised-9-2023).pdf
- Help Me Grow Alabama — Alabama Partnership for Children. https://alabamapartnershipforchildren.org/our-work/help-me-grow/
- Help Me Grow Alabama — Strengthening Families. https://helpmegrowalabama.org/help-me-grow-and-strengthening-families/
- Alabama Chapter — American Academy of Pediatrics (Help Me Grow). https://www.alaap.org/help-me-grow-new
- National Center for Children in Poverty — Alabama Profile. https://www.nccp.org/alabama/