The following is a list of questions parents frequently ask about the evaluation process and how services are provided.

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1. Who do I call if I have questions?
You can call the Services Coordinator for Kandiyohi County.  If you have concerns about your child’s development, the first step would be to call Julie Schroeder at 320-231-5184, ext. 2308 or email her at julie.schroeder@swsc.org. 

Or go to the Contact Us page for more information.

2. What is Early Intervention?
Early intervention refers to a whole range of special services for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers who have some delays in their development. When these services begin early in the life of the infant or toddler, they may prevent or lessen delays in development and increase the child's potential later in life. Early intervention services may include the following:
  • Service Coordination
  • Special Education
  • Physical Therapy
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Family counseling and education
  • Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services
  • Some Health Related Services

3. What is the process?
Contact Julie Schroeder, Early Childhood Service Coordinator at 320-231-5184, ext. 2308 or E-mail her at julie.schroeder@swsc.org to discuss your concerns.
  • Julie will discuss the needs of the child and family and provide parents with a brief explanation of the evaluation process and what will occur at the initial home visit.
  • If decided, a home visit would be scheduled so that Julie could gather more information from the parent about the child's delivery, health, developmental milestones, etc.
  • If an evaluation is found to be needed, staff and parents would meet to plan the evaluation.
  • Parents and persons involved with the evaluation would then meet to discuss the evaluation results.
  • If early intervention services are needed, a meeting with parents is held to develop an individualized plan.
  • If a child is not in need of early intervention services, the parents would be given recommendations of activities and other resources that would be beneficial. The Service Coordinator might also contact the parents from time to time to see if there are still concerns.

4. What is an evaluation or assessment?
An evaluation or assessment is the process used to look at a child's strengths and weaknesses. It also looks at the care giving and learning environments most likely to help a child make fullest use of his or her developmental skills.

In order to qualify for early intervention programming, an evaluation/assessment may be planned based on the needs of the child. The following components may be included:
  • Developmental checklist using toys and materials that are familiar to the child
  • Information from parents about how they see their child's development in terms of talking, moving, hearing, seeing, playing, and feeding
  • Observations of the child at play
  • Special tests that use toys, materials, and directions that compare a child's development to children of the same age
  • Information about the child's birth and overall health

The evaluation process may extend over a period of time to allow for accurate results.  A time and place is arranged with the parents and parents must sign a consent form for an evaluation.  The evaluation team may include (depending on the child's needs):
  • A Nurse
  • A Speech and Language Therapist
  • A Physical Therapist
  • An Occupational Therapist
  • An Audiologist
  • A Pediatrician
  • A Social Worker

After the evaluation, those involved with the evaluation contact parents to explain the evaluation results, including:
  • A picture of the child's development based on parent input, child's scores, and observations
  • Determination of the child's eligibility for services
  • Recommendations for the best services for the child, if necessary

5. Is there a cost for an evaluation?
No.  There is no cost for an evaluation by the school district and interagency team.

6. Who can receive special services?
Eligibility for Special Education Services:

After a comprehensive evaluation is completed, the results determine whether a child qualifies for specific services available through special education. A team of parents and professionals may recommend that services be provided if a child shows one or more of the following:
  • A significant delay when compared to children of the same age
  • A measureable hearing or vision impairment
  • A social/emotional disability
  • An identifiable medical condition known to interfere with normal development
  • More specific information is available from the evaluation team.

7. What services are available?
Early Intervention Options:
  • Home-Based Services: are provided in the child’s home with parents and caregivers.
  • Community-Based Services: may include licensed preschools, Head Start, Early Childhood/Family Education Sessions, School Readiness Programs, ect.
  • Center-Based in the school:  services are provided in an early intervention program class at the school.
  • Combination: in some cases, a combination of two programs may be recommended, such as home-based and a community based program.

8. Who provides the services?
Depending on the child’s needs and the program option that the team decides is best for a child, the services might be provided by:
  • An Early Intervention Teacher
  • A Speech/Language Clinician
  • A Physical Therapist
  • An Occupational Therapist
  • Other Consultants (i.e. Vision/Hearing/Psychologist/Technology, ect.)

9. Where are the services provided?
Depending on the program option decided to best meet the needs for a child, the services might be provided in the home, at school, at Head Start, etc.

10. Is there a cost for services?
No. There is no cost for services that the team decides that the child qualifies to receive.

11. What if I don’t live in Kandiyohi County?
If you do not live in Kandiyohi County call MN Help Me Grow at: 1-866-693-GROW (4769)

* Or, you may call your local school district office or the Public Health Office in your county.