The first three years of a child's life are a period of amazing growth. Although no two children develop, grow and learn in the same way or at the same pace, they do develop in certain predictable ways.
Early ACCESS is Iowa's system for providing early intervention services. It is available to families with an infant or toddler (birth to age 3) who have a health or physical condition that may affect his/her growth, including developmental delays in the ability to play, think, talk, or move.
There are almost 60 Early ACCESS service providers at Prairie Lakes Area Education Agency, including:
- Early ACCESS Service Coordinators
- Audiologists
- Early Childhood Special Education Teachers
- Occupational Therapists
- Physical Therapists
- Speech-Language Pathologists
- Teachers of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
- Teachers of the Visually Impaired
Early ACCESS providers partner with Early Head Start, Child Health Specialty Clinics, 1st Five, WIC, and other community agencies.
Anyone can refer a child under the age of three to Early ACCESS, including parents, family members, medical providers and childcare providers. If you are not a family member making a referral, be sure you have the family’s permission before you refer. There is no cost to families for Early ACCESS services and support.
Referrals can be made by:
- Contacting Ashlie Jergens, Prairie Lakes AEA Intake Coordinator
Email: ajergens@plaea.org or Phone: 866-540-3858 ext. 56043 or 712-335-6043
- Through the Iowa Family Support Network at https://www.iafamilysupportnetwork.org/families/make-a-referral
For further questions or information, contact Jessica Hawkins (Early ACCESS Department Chair/ECSE Teacher at Prairie Lakes Area Education Agency) jhawkins@plaea.org or 712-335-6039.