Early Intervention Services

Helping Little Ones Reach Big Milestones, One Step at a Time

If you’re concerned about your baby or toddler’s development, you’re not alone, and you’re not too late. Our Early Intervention team supports children from birth until their third birthday who may need help with speech, movement, eating, sleeping, sensory processing, behavior, or other developmental milestones.

Whether your pediatrician brought it up, or something just doesn’t feel quite right, we’re here to help.

Physical therapist providing early intervention services

What Is Early Intervention?

From birth to age three, children grow and learn rapidly. When developmental delays appear, like trouble with walking, talking, eating, or social connection, Early Intervention helps address them early, giving your child the best possible start.

Early Intervention services are provided at no cost to families.

At the Achievement Center of LECOM Health, our team of experienced, compassionate therapists provides personalized services for infants and toddlers with developmental delays or conditions diagnosed before, at, or after birth. We work closely with families, coaching them to build skills, confidence, and connection, step by step.

How the Process Works in Erie County | How to Get Started

Not sure yet whether Early Intervention is what you need? Call our Centralized Triage and Referral Line (LAUNCH CTRL) at 814.860.8765. We’re happy to talk through what you’re seeing and help point you in the right direction.

If you already know your child needs Early Intervention services, here’s how to get started:

1. Start with Pennsylvania CONNECT

Call PA CONNECT at 1-800-692-7288 or email help@connectpa.net. A representative will explain the process and connect your family with Erie County Care Management (ECCM), the local agency that provides service coordination including evaluations here in Erie County. All requests for Infant/Toddler Early Intervention services in Erie County go through ECCM. A Service Coordinator will help schedule a developmental evaluation, often right in your home.

2. Evaluation & Planning

Your Service Coordinator and evaluator will meet with you to learn more about your child’s development. If your child shows a 25% delay in one or more areas or has a diagnosis that could cause a delay, they may qualify for Early Intervention services.

Mom talking with service coordinator3. Choosing a Provider

When it’s time to choose your Early Intervention provider, ask for the Achievement Center of LECOM Health.

Families across Erie County trust us because we bring decades of experience, a compassionate approach, and a team that’s truly invested in every child’s success. Our therapists don’t just show up to provide a service, they show up with heart. They treat each child with the same care and commitment they’d want for their own families.

When you choose us, you’re choosing:

  • A provider that listens to you and your family concerns first
  • Therapists who build strong, trusted relationships with families
  • Seamless connection to the broader LECOM Health network if more support is ever needed

You don’t have to navigate this alone. If your child qualifies for services, make sure to tell your service coordinator: “We’d like the Achievement Center.”

4. We Deliver the Services Your Child Needs

Based on the team’s recommendations, our therapists will provide the appropriate services, whether that’s physical, occupational, or speech therapy, or specialized instruction. These services are tailored to your child and delivered in the comfort of your home or community.

Note: The types of services your child receives are based on the Early Intervention evaluation team discussion, not selected by the provider. Our role is to partner with you to deliver the care your child needs, with warmth, clarity, and experience.

The Achievement Center of LECOM Health Early Intervention team posing at the expERIEnce Children's Museum in Erie, PA

Have questions before you begin the process? Call our Centralized Triage and Referral Line (LAUNCH CTRL) at 814.860.8765, we’re happy to help, reach out anytime.

What Early Intervention Helps With

  • Delays in movement- rolling, crawling, walking
  • Limited speech sounds or communication
  • eating or swallowing challenges
  • Trouble with play, attention, or social interaction
  • Sensory concerns
  • General questions about your child’s development

Why Choose the Achievement Center?

For more than 100 years, Achievement Center of LECOM Health has helped children and families in Erie County build skills, confidence, and connection. As one of Erie County’s longest-standing Early Intervention providers, we bring:

  • Decades of experience across our team:
    • Physical Therapists: 50+ years combined
    • Occupational Therapists: 50+ years combined
    • Specialized Instructors: 25+ years combined
    • Speech-Language Pathologists: 50+ years combined
  • Specialized staff training including: Pediatric Yoga, Pediatric Neuro Developmental Treatment, Doula support, Lactation, Sensory Integration (SIPT), ASL, Feeding techniques, and more
  • Bilingual support available in Spanish
  • Connection to the LECOM Health network for referrals and additional care

Still Not Sure What You Need?

You don’t have to figure it all out today. Call our Centralized Triage and Referral Line (LAUNCH CTRL) at 814.860.8765. We’re here to answer questions, even before you start the process. Let’s take the first step together.

SERVICES