Early Intervention

Helping Children Reach Their Full Potential

Each year, thousands of infants and toddlers are diagnosed with a disability, while many others experience delays in reaching developmental milestones like walking and talking. Early Intervention (EI) programs, like those offered by UCP of Mobile, provide essential guidance and support to help children build crucial skills during their earliest years.

With seven programs offering services in twenty counties (Baldwin, Butler, Choctaw, Clarke, Coffee, Conecuh, Covington, Crenshaw, Elmore, Escambia, Geneva, Henry, Houston, Lee, Mobile, Monroe, Montgomery, Pike, Russell and Washington), UCP of Mobile is one of Alabama’s largest providers of Early Intervention (EI) Services.

How to Access Early Intervention Services

Children can enter UCP of Mobile’s EI programs in several ways:

  • Referral from a pediatrician or medical professional

  • Calling the Child Find hotline (1-800-543-3098)

  • Directly contacting UCP of Mobile

To qualify for EI services in Alabama, a child must have at least a 25% developmental delay in one or more areas:

  • Cognitive Skills

  • Social or Emotional Skills

  • Gross Motor Skills

  • Fine Motor Skills

  • Communication/Language Skills

A child may also qualify with a documented diagnosis. UCP of Mobile provides no-cost, in-home evaluations to determine eligibility.

Personalized Plans for Every Child

Once enrolled, families work with a team of professionals to develop an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)—a personalized roadmap for the child’s growth and development. This plan outlines:

  • The child’s strengths and needs

  • The family’s goals and desired outcomes

  • A list of specialists and therapists working with the child

  • Recommended intervention activities to support progress

UCP’s professional staff includes special instructors, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech/language pathologists, and service coordinators.

Supporting Families Every Step of the Way

At UCP of Mobile, we believe that early support leads to lifelong success. Our team is committed to empowering parents and caregivers with the tools and resources needed to help their children thrive.

If you have concerns about your child’s development, contact UCP of Mobile today. Or, to learn more about EI in the state of Alabama, visit the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services.

Early Detection of Cerebral Palsy

UCP of Mobile is part of a national Early Detection and Intervention Collaborative with the Cerebral Palsy Foundation and other UCP affiliates. Together, we’re working to raise awareness about the importance of identifying cerebral palsy (CP) as early as possible.

Most children are diagnosed around age 2, but CP can often be accurately detected as early as 3 months using advanced tools like MRI, movement assessments, and the Hammersmith Infant Neurological Exam (HINE). Early detection means children can begin intervention sooner—and families can receive the support they need during those critical first months.

Our therapists are specially trained to recognize early signs of CP and provide evidence-based interventions that give children the best chance for reaching their fullest potential.

Risk factors to watch for:

  • Newborn (up to 5 months corrected age): low birth weight or prematurity, multiple births, maternal infections, complicated labor, seizures, abnormal MRI/ultrasound, and other medical complications.

  • Infant (5–24 months): delayed motor milestones (not sitting by 9 months), stiff legs, persistent fisted hands, early hand preference, or asymmetrical movements.

If you have concerns about your child’s movement, development, or risk factors, contact UCP of Mobile today.

 

 For more information about UCP of Mobile Early Intervention Services, please contact us at (251) 479-4900 or email Christine Smith, Director of Early Intervention.