Every parent looks forward to their baby's first smile, first words, and first steps. But what happens when a child is behind in reaching those milestones? If you are worried that your child "seems behind" compared to other children of the same age, it might be time to contact Early On. 

Early On is Michigan's early intervention system for helping infants and toddlers, birth to three years of age who have a disability, developmental delay(s) or are at risk for delay(s) due to certain health conditions, and their families. It's designed to help families find the social, health, and educational services that will promote the development of their infants and toddlers with special needs.

Don't worry. But don't wait.

To understand whether you should refer a child, learn more about typical development by visiting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Learn the Signs, Act Early. campaign.

View the updated Early On Established Conditions List one-pager and a list of Established Conditions that indicate automatic eligibility for Early On supports and services.

If you think your infant or toddler may have a developmental delay or a pre-existing medical condition, contact Early On at 1-800-EarlyOn (800-327-5966) or complete the online referral form:  Referral Form.

Early On is offered by the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) as the state lead agency for Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). MiLEAP collaborates with various departments including the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) in implementing the Early On system.

Early On Vision

Infants and toddlers who are enrolled in Early On reach their fullest potential, successfully transitioning to the next phase of life, with empowered and supportive families.

Early On Mission

Early On builds upon and provides supports and resources to assist family members and caregivers to enhance eligible children's learning and development through every day learning opportunities.

2024 Early On Family Survey Flyer

Early On Family Survey Flyer

Early On Federal Formula

Fiscal Year 2025 Application Documents

2024-2025 Early On Federal Allocations
2024-2025 Early On Important Information
2024-2025 Early On Service Area Plan Instructions
2024-2025 Early On Allowable Cost Guide
2024-2025 Early On Participant Support Costs Excel Sheet
2024-2025 Early On GEPA Section 427 Form
Michigan Part C Prior Approval Request Form

Fiscal Year 2024 Application Documents

2023-2024 Early On Federal Allocations
2023-2024 Early On Important Information
2023-2024 Early On Service Area Plan Instructions
2023-2024 Early On Allowable Cost Guide
2023-2024 Early On Participant Support Costs Excel Sheet

State School Aid Act Section 54d

Fiscal Year 2025 Application Documents

2024-2025 Early On Section 54d Allocations
2024-2025 Early On Section 54d Important Information
2024-2025 Early On Section 54d Instructions for Completing Application for Section 54d Funds
2024-2025 Early On Section 54d Allowable Cost Guide
2024-2025 Early On Section 54d Guiding Questions to Inform Focus Area Selection
2024-2025 Early On Section 54d Focus Area Selection Spreadsheet
2024-2025 Early On Section 54d Instructions for Completing Data Spreadsheet
2024-2025 Early On Section 54d Data Spreadsheet
Michigan Part C Prior Approval Request Form

Fiscal Year 2024 Application Documents

2023-2024 Early On Section 54d Allocations 
2023-2024 Early On Section 54d Important Information
2023-2024 Early On Section 54d Instructions for Completing Application for Section 54d Funds
2023-2024 Early On Section 54d Allowable Cost Guide
2023-2024 Early On Section 54d Guiding Questions to Inform Focus Area Selection 
2023-2024 Early On Section 54d Focus Area Selection Spreadsheet
2023-2024 Early On Section 54d Instructions for Completing Data Spreadsheet
2023-2024 Early On Section 54d Data Spreadsheet
Michigan Part C Prior Approval Request Form

State School Aid Act Section 54d Non-Supplanting Requirement Q&A
State School Aid Act Section 54d Questions from the Field (posted 9-21-18) Excel format

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Public Reporting of Data

Federal regulations implementing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) at Section 303.702(b)(1)(i)(A) require public reporting on the performance of each early intervention program on the targets established in the State Performance Plan for each of the priority areas for Part C (Birth through age 2), Early On Michigan. Data may also be found on www.mischooldata.org by clicking "Download Early On (Part C) Public Report Spreadsheet" by choosing the pages K-12 Grade, Special Education, and Annual Public Reporting.

Specific questions regarding the Early On or infant/toddler content of the Public Report should be addressed to Janet Timbs at timbsj@michigan.gov. If you have difficulty with the public reporting website, please email CEPI@michigan.gov. 

U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) Q&As

Return to School Roadmap: Child Find, Referral, and Eligibility under Part C of IDEA (Oct. 29, 2021)
Return to School Roadmap: Provision of Early Intervention Services for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities and Their Families under Part C of IDEA 

Resources

Early On Michigan Organizations

BuildUpMi.org
Early On Michigan Major Grantees
Early On State Interagency Team
Early On Training & Technical Assistance Website
Michigan Interagency Coordinating Council

Early On Policies

Early On Michigan Part C of IDEA State Plan (revised May 2024)
Eligibility for Early On
Eligibility for Early On - Michigan Mandatory Special Education (MMSE) Eligibility
Michigan Policy on Screening of Children Referred to Part C of IDEA
System of Payments Policy for Part C of IDEA

Family Resources

1800EarlyOn.org/family
Early Intervention (Early On) Due Process Complaint Procedures (Arabic)
Early Intervention (Early On) Due Process Complaint Procedures (English)
Early Intervention (Early On) Due Process Complaint Procedures (Spanish)
Early On Michigan Your Family Has Rights Brochure (English, Spanish & Arabic)
Early On Procedural Safeguards Protecting Families' Rights (Arabic)
Early On Procedural Safeguards Protecting Families' Rights (English)
Early On Procedural Safeguards Protecting Families' Rights (Spanish)
Kindergarten Readiness Information
Michigan Alliance for Families
Michigan Family to Family
Special Education Dispute Resolution Options
Special Education Due Process Complaint Procedures (Revised 4/2020)
Special Education Due Process Complaint/Request for Hearing Model Form
Special Education Mediation Services
Special Education State Complaints: Procedures and Model Forms
Special Education State Complaints: Procedures and Model Forms (Spanish)

Federal Reports/Performance

Differentiated Monitoring and Support (DMS 2.0) Report
SPP/APR Results Indicator Targets Through 2025
Michigan FFY22 Part C SPP/APR (submitted 2/2024)
Michigan FFY24 Part C of IDEA Application and GEPA Statement (submitted 5/2024)
Michigan's Part C 2024 Determination letter
2024 Part C Results-Driven Accountability Matrix
How the Department Made Determinations in 2024
Michigan's Part C State Systemic Improvement Plan

Federal Resources

State Resources

Michigan COVID-19 Guidance

• MEMO #COVID-19-096 Guidance for Implementation of Early On, Great Start Collaborative, Great Start Parent Coalitions, and Home Visiting for MI Safe Schools: Michigan's 2020-2021 Return to School Roadmap and Executive Order 2020-142
• Home-based Early Childhood Services, Guidelines for How to Restart In-Person Visits
• Keeping Everyone Safe During a Home Visit - images
• Preservar la seguridad de todos durante una consulta a domicilio (con fotos)
• Keeping Everyone Safe During a Home Visit - no images
• MEMO #COVID-19-073 Updated (6-23-20) Guidance for Implementation of Early On in Response to COVID-19
• MEMO #COVID-19-071 Continuity of Learning Plans for Early Childhood Programs and Services
• MEMO #COVID-19-063 Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education Waivers Due to COVID-19 Pandemic
• MEMO #COVID-19-061 Financial Accounting Guidance During the COVID-19 Pandemic
• MEMO #COVID-19-057 Updated (05-20-20) Guidance for Compliance with IDEA and the Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education
• MEMO #COVID-19-049 Implementation of Early On During Implementation of Continuity of Learning and COVID-19 Response Plan
• MEMO #COVID-19-020 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part C (Early On) during K-12 School Closure due to Executive Orders 2020-11 and 2020-21 (COVID-19)
• MEMO #COVID-19-003 Compliance Requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part C during a Public Health Emergency
• Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education During the COVID-19 Pandemic Version 2.0

To access all COVID-19 updates, go to the MDE COVID-19 Education Information and Resources page. 

Additional early childhood information and resources can be found on MDE's COVID-19 Early Childhood Information and Resources page. 

Staff

Office of Early Education Main Phone Number: 517-241-7004

Manager, Birth to Five Early Childhood Special Education
Janet Timbs, 517-245-9406

Early On Consultants
Gina Birnbaum, 517-855-0320
Laura Goldthwait, 517-275-1978
Kelly Hurshe, 517-245-3584
Colleen O'Connor, 517-275-1977

Part B, Section 619 Coordinator
Mark Kuipers, 517-855-8658

MICC Staff Liaison
Barb Schinderle

Early On Departmental Analyst
Cheryl Najm, 517-335-1580