If your baby or toddler isn't babbling, talking, or understanding words the way you expected, you may have heard someone mention "AzEIP." The Arizona Early Intervention Program is the state's public early intervention system for children under 3. This guide explains what early intervention is, how a referral works, what happens after you call, and what changes when your child turns 3, based on federal regulations, Arizona law, and guidance from the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
This article is general information, not legal or medical advice. Program procedures and contact details can change, so confirm specifics with the program itself.
What is AzEIP?
The CDC describes early intervention as "the term used to describe services and supports" for babies and young children with developmental delays or disabilities and their families, and says it may include speech therapy, physical therapy, and other services based on the needs of the child and family.[1] The AAP explains that the early intervention program "is a federal grant program run by individual states under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act that works with children ages 0-3."[2]
In Arizona, state law makes the Department of Economic Security (DES) "the lead agency for the coordination of a system of early intervention programs and services to infants and toddlers with developmental delays."[10] The Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center's national directory lists Arizona's Part C program as the Arizona Early Intervention Program, with DES as its lead agency.[11]
Which children are eligible?
Under federal rules, an "infant or toddler with a disability" is a child under 3 who needs early intervention services because they either:[3]
- Have a developmental delay, measured by appropriate tools and procedures, in one or more areas: cognitive, physical (including vision and hearing), communication, social or emotional, or adaptive development; or
- Have a diagnosed physical or mental condition with "a high probability of resulting in developmental delay," such as chromosomal or genetic conditions or sensory impairments.
Federal law leaves the exact cutoff to each state. Every state must adopt a "rigorous definition of developmental delay" that specifies the level of delay that counts.[4] That's why eligibility rules differ from state to state, and why some toddlers with a real but milder delay don't meet a state's threshold. Our post on late talkers describes the milestones pediatric experts watch between 18 and 30 months.
Do I need a doctor's referral?
No. The CDC states plainly: "A doctor's referral is not necessary."[1] The AAP agrees that "Anyone can refer a child to EI," listing pediatricians, parents, grandparents, and child care providers, and adds that "The child does not even need a diagnosis."[2] The CDC suggests telling the program that you have concerns about your child's development and would like an evaluation.[1]
The ECTA Center's directory lists the program's website and referral phone numbers for Arizona.[11] Because phone numbers and online forms change, check the DES early intervention website or ask your pediatrician for the current referral route.
Worth knowing: You don't have to wait for a pediatrician's visit, a diagnosis, or a certain birthday to ask for an early intervention evaluation. If your child is under 3 and you're concerned, the CDC's advice is to reach out yourself.[1]
What happens after I make a referral?
Federal regulations set a 45-day clock. Any screening, the initial evaluation, the initial assessments of the child and family, and the initial Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) meeting "must be completed within 45 days" from the date the program receives the referral.[5] The timeline can pause in documented situations, such as when the family is unavailable because of exceptional circumstances or hasn't yet given consent.[5]
The AAP describes the evaluation this way: "The EI program's team of specialists will test and evaluate the child to see if he qualifies for the program."[2] If your child is eligible, you and the team develop an IFSP. According to the AAP, the IFSP describes your child's current developmental levels, outlines the specific services you and your family will receive, sets goal dates, and "should be developed with the family's values in mind and be supportive of the family's routine and priorities."[2]
Does early intervention include speech therapy?
Yes. Federal rules list speech-language pathology among early intervention services, including identifying "communication or language disorders and delays in development of communication skills" and providing services for "the habilitation, rehabilitation, or prevention" of those disorders and delays.[6] The AAP lists speech therapists among the many professionals who may provide services, along with social workers, occupational and physical therapists, registered dietitians, developmental therapists, and psychologists.[2]
Where do the services happen?
Early intervention is designed to happen in everyday settings. Federal regulations require services to be provided, "to the maximum extent appropriate, in natural environments," and in other settings only when the goals can't be met satisfactorily in a natural environment.[7] In practice, the AAP notes, "Services may be provided in your home or in the community."[2] Arizona law also calls for a process that allows parents, to the maximum extent appropriate, "to choose a natural environment for services," including the home and community settings where children without disabilities take part.[10]
Arizona law includes a few other family protections worth knowing. DES must create a process for a family to "request a different service coordinator," and at the initial IFSP meeting and every review, families must be given information about community resources, including resources outside the federal program, through a community resource guide.[10]
Does AzEIP cost anything?
The CDC says early intervention programs "provide services for free or at reduced cost for any child who is eligible."[1] The AAP notes that "Payment for EI services varies from state to state," but "all states must provide at least some services free of charge."[2]
Federal rules spell out which parts can never carry a fee to parents: finding and referring children, evaluation and assessment, service coordination, and developing and reviewing the IFSP.[8] A state may adopt a system of payments for some services, but it must assure that a family's inability to pay will not delay or deny services.[8] For the details of how Arizona handles payment for specific services, ask the program directly.
What happens when my child turns 3?
Early intervention under Part C ends at age 3, and planning for what comes next starts well before that. If your child may be eligible for preschool special education through the school district, federal rules require the program (with your approval) to hold a transition conference with your family and the school district "not fewer than 90 days—and, at the discretion of all parties, not more than 9 months—before the toddler's third birthday."[9] A transition plan, including steps to exit the program, is added to the IFSP in that same window.[9]
The AAP explains that the IFSP includes information on how early intervention "will help the child and family transition to school services when the child turns three."[2] For a child who is 3 or older and hasn't been in early intervention, the CDC suggests contacting your local public elementary school, "even if your child does not go to school there," to ask for a preschool special education evaluation.[1]
What if my child doesn't qualify, or I want more support?
Because each state sets its own eligibility threshold, a "not eligible" result means your child didn't meet that program's criteria; it isn't a statement that your child has no needs.[4] Arizona law specifically requires the community resource guide to include resources that don't qualify for services under the federal program.[10]
Families can also request a private speech-language evaluation, which doesn't depend on a program's eligibility cutoff. Speech Me Therapy works with children from infancy onward, in person and by telehealth. You can learn more on our early intervention page or read about options when a child doesn't qualify for services.
The bottom line
AzEIP is Arizona's public early intervention program for children under 3, run by the Department of Economic Security under federal Part C rules.[10, 11] You don't need a doctor's referral or a diagnosis to ask for an evaluation, the evaluation and IFSP process has a 45-day federal timeline, and evaluation and service coordination can't carry a fee.[1, 5, 8] If your little one's communication is on your mind, talk with your pediatrician or a speech-language pathologist, and consider making the referral yourself. It's a free first step toward a clearer picture.
Sources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (n.d.). Early Intervention. CDC, Learn the Signs. Act Early..
- American Academy of Pediatrics (2025). What is Early Intervention?. HealthyChildren.org.
- U.S. Department of Education (n.d.). 34 CFR 303.21 - Infant or toddler with a disability. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations.
- U.S. Department of Education (n.d.). 34 CFR 303.111 - State definition of developmental delay. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations.
- U.S. Department of Education (n.d.). 34 CFR 303.310 - Post-referral timeline (45 days). Electronic Code of Federal Regulations.
- U.S. Department of Education (n.d.). 34 CFR 303.13 - Early intervention services. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations.
- U.S. Department of Education (n.d.). 34 CFR 303.126 - Early intervention services in natural environments. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations.
- U.S. Department of Education (n.d.). 34 CFR 303.521 - System of payments and fees. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations.
- U.S. Department of Education (n.d.). 34 CFR 303.209 - Transition to preschool and other programs. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations.
- Arizona State Legislature (n.d.). 41-2022 - Infants and toddlers with developmental delays; lead agency; intergovernmental agreements; individualized family service plans; intervention service options; community resource guide. Arizona Revised Statutes.
- Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (2026). Part C State Systems and Coordinators. ECTA Center.
Articles from Speech Me Therapy, a pediatric speech-language therapy practice in North Phoenix serving Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, and families across Arizona by telehealth. Our posts summarize published guidance from professional and public health organizations; sources are listed at the end of every article.