Early Intervention

What is Early Intervention?

Early Intervention is a specialized program, certified by the Department of Public Health, that provides services to young children who have or are at risk for developmental delays.

Kennedy-Donovan Center's Early Intervention Program is comprehensive, family-centered and community based.

Early Intervention supports each family's efforts to enhance the development of their child.

Turn To KDC

Kennedy-Donovan Center’s Early Intervention Program is the place to turn when your infant or toddler (birth to age 36 months) is faced with developmental challenges, such as:

• Developmental delays in gross and fine motor, receptive and expressive language, social-emotional, self-care or cognitive skills.
• Medical conditions or diagnoses affecting development.
• Environmental conditions which affect development such as need for parenting education or a need for social supports for the family.

Finding Help

Referrals are made to the Program by parents, physicians and other professionals in the community who have a concern about the child’s development and other concerns expressed by the family.

Developmental Evaluations

When a child is referred to early intervention, the team will complete a developmental evaluation. This evaluation will look at all areas of development and will determine the child’s eligibility for early intervention services.

Early Intervention Eligibility

Kennedy-Donovan Center’s Early Intervention Program is focused on the child and family. Parents/guardians and staff work in partnership to develop a creative, flexible and effective service to address the unique needs of their child and family. Eligibility criteria are established by the Department of Public Health and include a 25% delay in one or more areas of development or a combination of four predetermined risk factors.

Services Occur in Natural Settings

Early Intervention Services are provided in natural settings such as home, child care centers or community play groups through:

• Developmental Evaluations
• Home Visits
• Child-Focused Groups
• Parent Support Groups
• Center Visits

The Early Intervention Program features:

• Professionally Trained Staff
• A Family-Centered Focus
• Specialized Equipment
• Fully Accessible Facilities

As part of the comprehensive approach to service provision, service coordination includes advocacy, information and referrals.

Serving the towns of: Attleboro, North Attleboro, Mansfield, Norton and Foxboro:

Kennedy-Donovan Center
Early Intervention Program
25 Forest Street
Attleboro, MA 02740
508-226-6035

Serving the towns of: Acushnet, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Gosnold, Marion, Mattapoisett, New Bedford, Rochester and Wareham:

Kennedy-Donovan Center
Early Intervention Program
389 County Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
508-997-1570

Serving the towns of: Carver, Duxbury, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Kingston, Marshfield, Pembroke, Plymouth and Plympton:

Kennedy-Donovan Center
Early Intervention Program
64 Industrial Park Road
Plymouth, MA 02360
508-747-2012

Serving the towns of: Southbridge, Charlton, Sturbridge, Webster, Dudley, Oxford, Spencer, Brimfield, Wales, Holland, Warren and the Brookfields:

Kennedy-Donovan Center
Early Intervention Program
176 Main Street, Suite 12
Southbridge, MA 01550
508-765-0292