What to Know About Kentucky Early Intervention System

Kentucky Early Intervention System (KEIS) is a state program that provides services from birth to three years old. Eligibility for this program is determined three ways:

• Developmental Delay – A child may be eligible for services if an evaluation shows the child is not developing typically in at least one of the measured skill areas: communication, cognition, physical, social and emotional or self-help.

​

• Established Risk Concern – A child may be eligible if he or she is diagnosed with a physical or mental condition likely to result in developmental delay such as Down Syndrome.

​

• Informed Clinical Opinion - A child may be eligible for services if an approved multidisciplinary evaluation team of professionals determines the child is in need of services based on their clinical expertise.​​

A parent referral can be made through a Kentucky Point of Entry.

​

​

KEIS Family Rights

The process will begin with an evaluation/assessment to determine the eligibility of your child. If the child is eligible, a meeting will be scheduled to develop an IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan) within 45 days of referral to Kentucky Early Intervention System.

Click here to read the KEIS Family Rights.

​

Services

Common services offered through KEIS are speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, developmental intervention, playgroups, and social work.

​

Transition out of KEIS (IDEA Part C) to public School services (IDEA Part B):

• A Kentucky Early Intervention System Transition Conference is scheduled and takes place after the child is two years three months old and before two years nine months (no later than 90 days before the child’s third birthday).

​

• Team members, parents and school district are invited to attend. This meeting plans the transition out of Kentucky Early Intervention System and reviews options available to the child from the third birthday to the remainder of the school year.

​

• The local school district schedules the first ARC (Admissions and Release Committee) to discuss the referral. Parent provides consent for evaluation.

​

• School district has 60 school days to evaluate the child in the areas listed on the consent form. A second ARC meeting is scheduled within 30 days of establishing eligibility to create an IEP.

​

• An Exit IFSP meeting may also be scheduled to assist with transition out of Kentucky Early Intervention System.
  Click here to learn more. Learn more about IDEA here.

Tip #1: Declining services at the child’s third birthday and transition out of Kentucky Early Intervention System does NOT affect the child’s ability to receive future special education services though the local public school district.

​