The Maryland Infants and Toddlers Program (MITP) directs a family-centered system of early intervention services for young children with developmental delays and disabilities and their families. By recognizing each family's concerns and priorities and focusing on each child's strengths and needs, the MITP assists families of children with special needs during the first four years of the child's developmental journey. Support, information, and coordinated services in community settings are what families tell us they need to enhance their ability to manage the challenges and celebrate the gifts that each child has to offer.
To make a referral visit the Maryland Infants and Toddlers Program online referral site.
Local Infants and Toddlers Programs
The MITP provides monitoring and technical assistance to 24 local Infants and Toddlers Programs (LITPs) throughout Maryland. These programs are composed of local departments of education, health, social services, and other public and private providers identified by each jurisdiction. LITPs constitute the service delivery component of the statewide early intervention system. Through the LITPs, services are offered throughout the State and are designed to enhance a child’s potential for growth and development before he or she reaches school age. Services may include: audiology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, transportation, speech-language pathology, family training, special instruction, assistive technology, health services and home visits.
State Regulations
State regulations specify that a child, birth through age two is eligible for early intervention through the MITP in any one of three ways:
Has a 25% delay in at least one or more of five developmental areas (cognitive; physical, including vision and hearing; communication; social or emotional; adaptive);
Manifests atypical development or behavior in one or more of the five developmental areas, interferes with current development, and is likely to result in a subsequent delay (even when diagnostic instruments and procedures do not document a 25% delay); or
Has a diagnosed physical or mental condition that has a high probability of resulting in developmental delay.
In Focus
Local Program Contact Information
If you are interested in making a referral for a child, please locate the number for your
county's Infants and Toddlers Program or visit the
MITP online referral website.
Maryland’s Extended IFSP Option
Maryland’s Extended IFSP Option offers families the choice to remain on an IFSP beyond their child’s third birthday if their child is determined eligible for preschool special education and related services as a child with a disability. The extension of IFSP services beyond age 3, incorporates the strength of the special education and preschool education program with the existing infants and toddlers family-centered model. The Extended IFSP Option moves Maryland toward its mission of creating a seamless, birth-to-kindergarten early childhood intervention and preschool special education system of services.
Contact:
Maryland State Department of Education
Division of Early Intervention and Special Education Services200 West Baltimore Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone: (410) 767-0244
Fax: (410) 333-8165