After Referral

After a referral is made through Minnesota's Help Me Grow, local school staff will call the family to talk through next steps. These next steps may include screening or evaluation. Early childhood specialists work with eligible children and families to plan the services and supports they need.

School Staff Will Contact the Family

• Referrals are sent to the child’s local school district. When the school receives a referral, an early childhood specialist will call the parent(s) to discuss their concerns about the child’s development. This discussion will help determine next steps, which may include screening or evaluation. This call will usually happen within one to two weeks of the referral. The initial contact may be delayed if the child is over age three and the referral is received during the summer months.
• School staff may decide to first conduct a screening to help determine if a child should be evaluated for eligibility. A screening is not an evaluation and does not establish eligibility.

Determining Eligibility

• Before a child can receive early intervention supports and services the child must be evaluated by a team of qualified individuals and found eligible under Minnesota state-established criteria.
• The child’s parent may request an evaluation at any time and bypass screening or overrule the school’s decision that an evaluation is not needed.
• The process for determining eligibility and developing a service plan must take place within 45 calendar days of the referral for ages birth through two and within 30 school days for ages three to five.

Planning Services for Eligible Children

• A service planning team, which includes the family and early childhood specialists, will decide which services and supports are needed for the child and family.
• This plan is individualized and specific to that child and family.
• The school district, through the evaluation and assessment process, will discuss the services with the family.
• Services may include special instruction and other services, such as speech, physical or occupational therapy.
• Parents may also be given strategies on how to support their child’s development at home.
• Connections to other community services and programs may be provided.
• Eligible children can receive services in their home, child care setting or school.
• These services are free to eligible families, regardless of income or immigration status.