JACKSON COUNTY, Mich. –The Jackson County Health Department has a comprehensive early intervention program
available for families in Jackson County who are concerned about their child’s development.
Early On is Michigan's system for helping infants and toddlers, birth to age 3 and their families who have developmental delays or are at risk for delays due to certain health conditions. 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. Early On emphasizes early identification and early referral to enhance the development of infants and toddlers with disabilities, to minimize their potential for delay, and to recognize the significant brain development that occurs during a child's first three years of life.
In Jackson County, the Early On program is located at the Jackson County Health Department. The Jackson County Early On program partners with the Jackson Intermediate School District and several other programs through the county to provide services and meet the needs of its families. Once a referral is received, Early On staff contact the family to schedule a multidisciplinary evaluation. If a child qualifies for the program, a service plan is designed to fit their needs. A variety of services may be offered such as speech, physical, or occupational therapy, special education and/or social work home visits. All evaluations and any services needed are free of charge.
A local mother had this to say about the Jackson County Early On program: "We really enjoy all of the positivity surrounding all of the Early On events. I have felt very welcomed and accepted. Being a first time mother, to a very premature baby, not really knowing what to expect, I am incredibly grateful for the resources and support of Early On."
If you have concerns regarding your child’s development, don’t worry, but don’t wait. Contact Early On by calling
1-800-EarlyOn or going to the website 1800earlyon.org to make a referral today. If you have further questions, please contact Josie Allen, Early On Coordinator for Jackson County at 517-768-1626 or jallen@mijackson.og.
