A Guide To Early Intervention Referrals in SC
About This Guide to SC Referrals for Early Intervention:
This guide below explains how to apply for and receive Early Intervention services in the state of South Carolina.
Note, you must follow very specific steps and sometimes the system can get very complicated. We made this guide to help you, because early intervention has been our passion and work for more than twenty-two years.
Note, please feel free to share and discuss this guide with your child’s pediatrician.
What is South Carolina Early Intervention?
When a baby or child is diagnosed to have (or be at risk of having) a developmental delay or disability, early intervention is a process of specialized instruction for that child and his/her parents or caregivers to help improve development, connect with local community resources, and strive towards greatest possible outcomes for that child and family.
Examples of these development delays and disabilities might include:
Specific Conditions = Prematurity, Down Syndrome, Autism, etc.
General Conditions = Difficulties walking, talking, seeing, hearing, thinking, or socializing
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– INTERACTIVE GUIDE –
Click your child's age below.
Early Intervention is available in SC for children in the age range of birth to six years old. Click the age of your child.
My child's age is...
BIRTH TO 36 MONTHS
If your child is under 36 months old, you may qualify for the South Carolina statewide early intervention program called “BabyNet”. If you qualify, the costs of this program are fully covered for you.
BabyNet is a partnership between:
- The SC Department of Health and Human Services (SC DHHS)
- The SC Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (SC DDSN)
- Local Service Providers… just like us here at Bright Start!
BabyNet Referrals
To apply and see if you are eligible for BabyNet is called a “referral.” This can be done by you, your pediatrician, or if you’d like, our team can help you with this, just Contact Us.
How to apply for BabyNet:
- Online: Refer a Child to BabyNet >
- Phone: 1-866-512-8881
Important Note – applying to BabyNet requires that you have some key information ready and available about your child before applying for eligibility.
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What happens after you apply?
After you apply, a BabyNet Intake Coordinator will contact you.
They will explain the program, and help determine if your child is eligible.
Requesting Bright Start as your Service Provider
If approved for services, your BabyNet Intake Coordinator will ask you to choose a local Early Intervention service provider that's in your local area. If you live in one of our SC service areas, we at Bright Start would be honored and pleased to help you. Just remember to ask for Bright Start when speaking with your Intake Coordinator.
My child's age is...
THREE TO SIX YEARS OLD
If your child is three to six years old, you may qualify for a variety of services from the SC Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (DDSN).
How to request SC DDSN eligibility:
- Call Toll Free 1-800-289-7012
- Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-5:00 PM
Be sure to have this important information about your child ready when you call:
- Full Name
- Date of Birth
- Social Security Number
- Medicaid Number (if applicable)
- Home Address
- Phone Number
- E-mail Address
What To Expect When You Call
- Plan to spend about 15 minutes on your call.
- You will be asked for general information about your child’s disability.
- You will be asked questions to establish your residency in South Carolina.
Learn more here on the SCDDSN Website >
Requesting Bright Start as your Service Provider
If approved for services, If eligible, you will be asked to select three (3) Service Providers from a list read to you over the phone. If you live in one of our SC service areas, we at Bright Start would be honored and pleased to help you.