The Early Intervention (EI) Program of the Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit #21 is a federal and state public special education service provided to children ages three to five years of age who are experiencing a delay in their development.  These children are evaluated and found to be eligible for special education services under the guidelines of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) regulations. The CLIU EI Program, operates under the direction of the PA Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL).

Early Intervention conducts child find activities to assist in identifying children in need of such services.  Staff are made aware of a child who may be eligible for special education EI services through a referral from a person who has regular contact with the child - either a parent, relative, daycare or preschool teacher, physician, or other professional. Once a child is referred, a screening occurs. Results of the screening determine the need for, and type of, evaluation that a child may require. If a child is determined to be eligible as a result of the evaluation, he or she will receive services that are both free and appropriate. Early Intervention also works closely with both Carbon County and Lehigh County Infant/Toddler-Early Intervention (IT-EI) Programs. Timely transition meetings are regularly scheduled and held with representatives of both programs to determine if the child continues to be eligible for services when they transition from Infant-Toddler to Early Intervention.

Other Services Offered by Early Intervention :