Developmental and Behavior Concerns

Evaluation and services when a provider or caregiver has developmental, behavioral, or mental health concerns.

MEDICAL EVALUATION

Make sure the child’s primary healthcare provider knows about the concerns and can provide a comprehensive medical evaluation:

Health Care Providers/Clinics

Health care providers can check for health conditions or refer to specialists if needed.

• If the child already has a clinic, the next step is to schedule an appointment for a well visit or evaluation of developmental/behavioral concerns.
• For children covered by Medical Assistance, well-child checkups (medical and dental) called Child and Teen Checkups (C&TC), are free for newborns through age 20 years. If you do not have a health care provider or clinic, contact your C&TC coordinator for help (use the drop-down box to select your county or tribe). For children covered by other health insurance, contact member services to find a clinic near you where the well-child visit may be paid for by your health insurance.

Early Intervention/Comprehensive Evaluation

Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention (EIDBI)

The EIDBI benefit provides therapy for children, youth and young adults under the age of 21 who meet eligibility criteria. To determine eligibility, make a referral to a Comprehensive Multi-Disciplinary provider. Participants may be enrolled in Medical Assistance (MA), MinnesotaCare, Minnesota Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act (MA-TEFRA) or other qualifying health care programs. To find an EIDBI provider or make a referral to EIDBI services, click on the online tool. For more information on EIDBI and other autism services and supports, visit the MN Autism Resource Portal website.

EARLY INTERVENTION / EDUCATIONAL EVALUATION

Local school districts provide early intervention or special education services, free to the family, for children who are eligible. The first step to determine eligibility is an educational referral.

Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)

To see if a child (birth through 5 years) is eligible for early childhood special education services (ECSE), click on the link below to use the Help Me Grow referral form. The referral will be directed to the local school district based on the child’s address. A referral can be made by a parent, any professional, or family members and others who have concerns about the child. The child’s local school district ECSE program will follow up with the family within 7-10 days to discuss next steps, which may include a screening or evaluation.

Referral Form for Help Me Grow

To find out more about your local ECSE program directly, search the links below.

Local ECSE programs for children birth to 2 years of age

Local ECSE programs for children 3 to 5 years of age

SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, OR BEHAVIORAL CONCERNS

In addition to health and educational evaluation, consider referring young children (infancy-5 years) and their families to qualified mental health professionals.

Early Childhood Mental Health Agencies

Early childhood mental health professionals can work with parents and families to assess and treat trauma, emotional or behavioral concerns of babies, toddlers, and young children

Children's Therapeutic Services and Supports

Children’s Therapeutic Services and Supports (CTSS) is a flexible range of mental health and rehabilitation services for children and youth (birth – 21 years) who need varying levels of intervention services in their homes or elsewhere in the community. CTSS combines therapy with skills training to support children in reaching their appropriate developmental and social functioning levels. Individual goals are set so children and families are able to see measurable progress and services are delivered using various treatment modalities that are child/family specific.

Minnesota Association for Children's Mental Health

The Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health provides education and resources to professionals, families and youth throughout Minnesota and beyond. Resources include mental health fact sheets, publications, traumatic event resources, a toolkit for healing-centered practice, etc. Opportunities for continued education include free pop-up trainings, seasonal training series, Infant/Early Childhood and Children’s Mental Health conferences, on-demand trainings, and reflective consultation groups.

Parenting Support Programs

Get connected with resources, information and other parents who understand what you are going through