Criterion Child Enrichment

Agency Profile
Programs
    Child Care
    Early Literacy Focus (ELF)
    Early Intervention
    Newborn Home Visits
    Dev. Enrichment Groups
    Regional Consultation Program (CRCP)
Professional Development
    Great Beginnings Conference
    CRCP Trainings
(Regional Consultation Program)

    Other Events
    Dissertation (PAL)
Mass. Regional Centers
Community Involvement
Quality Assurance
Child Development Information
Employment Opportunities







Criterion Early Intervention Programs

The primary focus of early intervention is family education, training and support. The program is designed to enable parents and other caregivers to assess their child’s developmental needs, incorporate educational and therapeutic strategies into daily routines and utilize available community resources.

Children between birth and three years of age who exhibit developmental delay or are at risk for a developmental delay because of health or environmental conditions are eligible for early intervention. Early intervention specialists including; educators, therapists, social workers, psychologists, and nurses work with families to develop strategies to incorporate intervention objectives into their daily routines. Services are provided in the family’s home, the child’s daycare, the early intervention center or other community locations where the child and family spend time.

Criterion sponsors seven early intervention programs (EIPs) located in Boston and its suburbs, as well as Central and Western Massachusetts. In 1985, Criterion opened it’s first two early intervention programs in Milford and Framingham. Each program began with approximately 100 enrolled children and are now the agency’s two largest programs, each serving over 500 families at any given time. In 1996, the agency began a period of significant early intervention program expansion. In January of that year, the Wachusett Early Intervention Program opened in Gardner. In June, the Heritage Early Intervention Program opened with sites in S. Hadley, Holyoke and Palmer. In 1999, the Stoneham, Medford and Mattapan Early Intervention Programs opened. The combined enrollment of the Criterion early intervention programs currently exceeds 3,200 families annually. Services are provided by a staff of over 150 child development professionals. Each program is funded by private health insurance and the Department of Public Health (DPH). While a nominal participation fee is requested, DPH sponsorship ensures that no family will be denied early intervention services due to an inability to pay.

The Criterion Child Enrichment Early Intervention Programs:

1. Criterion – Boston Early Intervention Program
25 Willow Street
West Roxbury, MA 02132
(617) 469-3080

Boston Neighborhoods Served -- Mattapan, Roxbury, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Dorchester, Roslindale, West Roxbury, South End

2. Criterion – Stoneham Early Intervention Program
8F Henshaw St.
Woburn, MA 01801
(781) 935-3855

Towns Served -- Stoneham, Melrose, Reading, North Reading, Wakefield

3. Criterion – Medford Early Intervention Program
8F Henshaw St.
Woburn, MA 01801
(781) 935-5751

Towns Served -- Medford, Everett, Malden

4. Criterion – Heritage Early Intervention Program
30 Old Lyman Rd.
S. Hadley, MA 01075
(413) 533-7140

1581 N. Main St.
Palmer, MA 01089
(413) 283-3267

Towns Served -- Holyoke, Chicopee, South Hadley, Granby, Ludlow, Southampton, Belchertown, Ware, Palmer, Monson

5. Criterion – Middlesex Early Intervention Program
651 Franklin St.
Framingham, MA 01701
(508) 620-1442

Towns Served -- Ashland, Dover, Framingham, Holliston, Hopkinton, Natick, Sherborn, Sudbury, Wayland

6. Criterion – Valley Early Intervention Program
375 Fortune Blvd.
Milford, MA 01757
(508) 478-7752

68 Church St.
Whitinsville, MA 01588
(508) 234-1332

Towns Served -- Bellingham, Blackstone, Douglas, Franklin, Grafton, Hopedale, Medway, Mendon, Milford, Millbury, Millville, Northbridge, Sutton, Upton, Uxbridge

7. Criterion – Wachusett Early Intervention Program
31 Lake St.
Gardner, MA 01440
(978) 632-4432

Towns served -- Ashburnham, Barre, Gardner, Hardwick, Hubbardston, New Braintree, Oakham, Princeton, Rutland, Templeton, Westminster, Winchendon