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 a 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, mental health clinicians, 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 early education and care program, the early intervention center or other community locations where the child and family spend time.
Criterion sponsors nine early intervention programs (EIPs) located in Boston and its suburbs, as well as Central and Western Massachusetts. Criterion early intervention programs currently provide services to over 7,000 families annually. Services are provided by a staff of over 350 child development professionals. Each program is funded by private health insurance and the Department of Public Health (DPH).
Early Intervention Referral Form
The Criterion Child Enrichment Early Intervention Programs:
1. Criterion – Boston Early Intervention Program
25 Willow St.
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
3 Woodland Rd., Suite 216
Stoneham, MA 02180
(781) 935-3855
Towns Served — Stoneham, Melrose, Reading, North Reading, Wakefield
3. Criterion – Medford Early Intervention Program
3 Woodland Rd., Suite 119
Stoneham, MA 02180
(781) 321-0645
Towns Served — Everett, Malden, Medford
4. Criterion – Heritage Early Intervention Program
30 Old Lyman Rd.
South Hadley, MA 01075
(413) 533-7140
1581 N. Main St.
Palmer, MA 01069
(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 01702
(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
130 East 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
567 Pearl 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
338 Plantation St.
Worcester, MA 01604
(508) 770-0089
Towns served — Auburn, Boylston, Holden, Leicester, Paxton, Shrewsbury, W. Boylston, Worcester
9. Criterion – Riverway Early Intervention Program
228 King St.
Suite 2
Northampton, MA 01060
(413) 727-8552
Towns served — Amherst, Ashfield, Athol, Bernardston, Buckland, Charlemont, Chesterfield, Colrain, Conway, Cummington, Deerfield, Easthampton, Erving, Gill, Goshen, Greenfield, Hadley, Hatfield, Hawley, Heath, Leverett, Leyden, Monroe, Montague, New Salem, Northampton, Northfield, Orange, Pelham, Petersham, Phillipston, Plainfield, Rowe, Royalston, Shelburne, Shutesbury, Sunderland, Warwick, Wendell, Westhampton, Whately, Williamsburg and Worthington