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 eight early intervention programs (EIPs) located in Boston and its suburbs, as well as Central and Western Massachusetts. The combined enrollment of the Criterion early intervention programs currently exceeds 4500 families annually. Services are provided by a staff of over 250 child development professionals. Each program is funded by private health insurance and the Department of Public Health (DPH). While a participation fee is required, 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
214 Commercial St.
Malden, MA 02148
(781) 321-0645
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
8. Criterion – Worcester Early Intervention Network
330 Plantation St.
Worcester, MA 01604
(508) 770-0089
567 Southbridge St.
Auburn, MA 01501
(508) 770-0089
480 Main St.
Holden, MA 01520
Towns served -- Auburn, Boylston, Holden, Leicester, Paxton, Shresbury, W. Boylston, Worcester
