Early Childhood

Riverside Early Intervention

Our Team of Specialists

Riverside Early Intervention provides educational, therapeutic, and supportive services to children from birth to age three experiencing (or at risk of) developmental delays. As a family-centered program, we empower families to meet their children’s individual needs through education, training, and support.

All Riverside Early Intervention team members are certified as Early Intervention Specialists by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Our team includes:

• Development Specialists
• Social Workers
• Mental Health Clinicians
• Physical Therapists
• Occupational Therapists
• Speech and Language Pathologists

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Who is Eligible to Receive Early Intervention Services?

Parents are encouraged to call the Early Intervention program if they have concerns regarding their child’s development. Children may be eligible for services if they:

• Have been diagnosed with a physical, emotional, or cognitive condition that may result in a developmental delay
• Have feeding, vision, or hearing issues
• Are slow to crawl, sit up, walk, or talk
• Exhibit behavioral difficulties or have trouble interacting with adults or other children
• Are at risk for delays in development due to birth, health, or environmental circumstances

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Our Services

Our Early Intervention teams in Needham and Somerville work closely with families to identify each child’s strengths and developmental needs. Together, they develop an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). The IFSP includes intervention strategies designed to assist the family in achieving desired developmental outcomes and describes the services recommended to facilitate the child’s progress.

 Each child enrolled in the program is assigned one staff member as a service coordinator. The service coordinator works closely with the family and other caregivers to develop and incorporate recommended strategies into the child and family’s daily routine. The service coordinator or the family may request periodic consultation from other team members. Treatment is provided at home, in community settings, or our Needham or Cambridge/Somerville locations. Services we offer may include:

• Home visits with program professionals
• Parent-Child Groups, Toddler Groups, and Parent Support Groups for families with eligible children
• Consultation and collaboration with other community and medical service providers
• Opportunities for non-eligible children to enroll in program-sponsored groups

View this PDF from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to learn what Early Intervention looks like (and doesn’t look like) in Massachusetts.

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Who Pays for Services?

Early Intervention services are paid for by private health insurance, Medicaid, and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. There are no out-of-pocket costs to families.

Early Intervention Parenting Partnerships

A Trusted Care Team for Children & Parents

Early Intervention Parenting Partnerships (EIPP) provide home visits and group support for pregnant and postpartum women until the baby turns one. Our team features maternal and child health nurses as well as mental health and community health professionals. Based on parent needs and preferences, our services can include: 

 Staff speak Spanish and Portuguese; interpreters are available for other languages. 

Riverside Early Head Start

Helping Parents & Kids Put Their Best Foot Forward

Are you preparing for a new baby, or do you have an infant or toddler in your family? Riverside Early Head Start is a comprehensive early childhood program that partners with parents to promote children’s healthy development. This in-home program features expert clinicians providing support in the comfort of your own home. Our services prepare children to successfully enter preschool and help families learn important parenting skills.

This program supports families by promoting healthy perinatal care, infant/toddler support, and the entire family’s well-being. The goal is to give young children a head start in their intellectual, social, and emotional development.

All of these services are free to Somerville, Cambridge, and Medford residents who meet federal low-income guidelines. We also accept a percentage of families whose incomes exceed these guidelines.

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Services provided by Riverside Early Head Start include:

• Weekly home visits focused on child development and wellness
• Parent-child playgroups and socialization activities
• Health, safety, and nutrition education
• Perinatal information and support
• Parent workshops and training

Riverside Early Head Start reflects the diversity of the community it serves. We welcome families from all cultural and ethnic backgrounds and individuals with special needs. Our staff speaks English, French, Spanish, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Hindi, Urdu, Dari, and Farsi.

Early Head Start 2023-2024 Annual Report

Apply Online Now: Click here

Para solicitar en español presione el siguiente enlace: Haga clic aquí

Early Years Project

Community Support Drives Healthy Development

The Early Years Project supports children (infants through preschool) by working with their early childhood educators and families. Our child development specialists partner with child care centers and family child care providers to create welcoming communities for all children and to address the needs of individuals or groups of children.

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We collaborate with educators and families to understand each unique child and support youth in the classroom and at home. We reflect on teaching practices, routines, curriculum, and the environment to promote well-being, healthy development, and learning. The Early Intervention team shares articles, handouts, and resources while helping with referrals for specialized services.

Our work is strength-based and grounded in respect to the cultural norms practiced within each center and family. We have Spanish and English-speaking specialists on our team. Our services are free of charge for any childcare center or family childcare provider located in Cambridge or Somerville. The Early Years Project is a collaboration that includes: 

• Riverside Community Care 
• The City of Cambridge 
• Birth to Grade Three Partnership 
• Cambridge Public Schools 
• The Cambridge Health Alliance