Early Intervention
Early Intervention Services
Early intervention is one of the most important things you can do to help your child. The State of Mississippi provides FREE services for qualified children with disabilities from birth to three years of age and can include:
- Evaluations and Assessments
- Education
- Speech Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Physical therapy
It is important to contact an Early Intervention agency as soon as you feel up to it. They can perform an evaluation of your child and give you easy ways to help now with future developmental concerns. Your child can receive their FREE Early Intervention services at a certified center, or qualified therapists will come to your home, day care, etc. It is your choice where your child receives services.
At three years of age, contact your public school district for services through age 21.
Early Intervention Resources
State Providers
Listed below are programs that are fully funded by tax dollars, so there is no direct cost to you.
Hudspeth Regional Center
Free evaluations and therapies provided as needed for children birth-three years or older for most Central Mississippi counties.
Whitfield Campus Phone: (601) 664-6000
Rankin Campus Phone: (601) 664-6150
100 Hudspeth Center Dr.
P.O. Box 127-B Whitfield, MS 39193-1032
First Steps
Free evaluations and therapies provided through the Mississippi Department of Health as needed for children birth-three years old. First Steps is administered through your local county health department.
Contact your local health department or call 1-800-451-3903.
Ellisville State School
Provides free psychological evaluations for children birth-three years or older to determine qualification for their services and therapies.
(601) 477-9384
1101 Hwy 11 South
Ellisville, MS 39437
Boswell Regional Center
Mississippi Department of Mental Health
Provides a continuum of care and services for thousands of Mississippians with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
(601) 867-5000
P.O. Box 128
1049 Simpson Highway 149
Magee, MS 39111
Private Providers
There are a multitude of private Early Intervention providers that accept both private insurance and Medicaid for Disabled Child Living at Home, so there is still no cost to you.
Anderson Regional Medical Center
Pediatric Therapy
(601) 553-6703
2000 15th Street
Meridian, MS 39301-4138
Beyond Therapy
Outpatient Therapy
(601) 853-9747
950 East County Line Rd., Ste. E
Ridgeland, MS 39157
Laskin Therapy
Outpatient Therapy
(601) 362-0859
207 W. Jackson St.
Ridgeland, MS 39157
Neshoba County General Hospital
Rehabilitation Services
(601) 663-1480
205 E. Hospital Rd.
Philadelphia, MS 39350
Rush Foundation Hospital
Rehabilitation Services
(601) 703-4240
1314 19th Avenue
Meridian, MS 39301
Aquatic Therapy
Some pediatric patients have been found to progress quicker with the introduction of aquatic therapy because of the play environment and full 360 degrees access by the therapist to inhibit abnormal muscle tone and facilitate weak movement patterns. It is also beneficial for strengthening of muscles especially abdominal muscles as well as good for cardiovascular and pulmonary endurance.
St. Dominic’s Outpatient Rehabilitation
(601) 200-4920
970 Lakeland Drive Suite 23
Jackson, MS 39216
Additional Resources
Mississippi Thrive
Educational Resource
(601) 815-6382
Funded by the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA), the Child Health and Development Project: Mississippi Thrive! is a project of the University of Mississippi Medical Center’s (UMMC) Children’s of Mississippi and Mississippi State University’s Social Science Research Center (SSRC). They are all about improving health outcomes for Mississippi’s most precious asset—its children. Since brains grow rapidly during the earliest years, they provide information and resources to improve developmental health for children from birth to age five. The website provides information and resources for families, educators, and health care providers, including information in Spanish!
Do you have a baby with Down syndrome and additional questions about available Early Intervention services? Please contact us, and we’ll do our best to help you find what you need.
