Meet the Lymans: Early Intervention Services in Washington State

Meet the Lymans!

The Lymans are a Washington family that benefits from Early Intervention Services for their daughter, Phoebe. Hear their story and find out about the kind of high-quality early learning the Lymans experience. Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT) is a Washington State program that serves thousands of children each year.

Early intervention services during the first three years can make a big difference in a child’s life. According to the Lymans, their daughter Pheobe has had consistent support and has made developmental progress since her birth!

The Department of Early Learning's (DEL) Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT) program provides services to children birth to age 3 who have disabilities or developmental delays. Eligible infants and toddlers and their families are entitled to individualized, quality early intervention services in accordance with the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Part C.

Early intervention services are designed to enable young children to be active, independent and successful participants in a variety of settings—in their homes*, in child care, in preschool programs and in their communities--*you can see this in Phoebe's play time with her parents and with her dog, Pepper :). 

Fast Facts about ESIT:

• 6,529 infants/toddlers and their families served at any one time 
• 13,686 eligible infants/toddlers and their families received services 
• 29% of toddlers exiting early intervention did not qualify for special education at age 3 
• 94% of infants/toddlers and families received services in the natural environment 
• 82% of families surveyed reported knowing their rights to the program 
• 89% of families surveyed reported early intervention helped them effectively communicate their child’s needs 
• 86% of families surveyed reported early intervention helped them to help their child develop and learn

Statistics based on early intervention service delivery in Washington, July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015.

For more information about Early Intervention in Washington State, go here: http://www.del.wa.gov/development/esit/Default.aspx.

Special thanks to the Lymans for letting DEL share your inspirational story and optimism!