For Professionals- Interlink-Help Me Grow

The health care provider has a responsibility to refer infants and toddlers with a suspected or potential developmental delay to Help Me Grow. It is mandated by law (IDEA Part C) that health care providers make a referral to the local early intervention system no more than two working days after a concern about a child's development has been identified.

Why should I refer...

Making a referral to Cuyahoga County Help Me Grow is easy. Click here for our referral FAQ

Referrals can be made by fax or phone.

FAX:
Fax the referral form to
216-592-4920

PHONE:
Call Help Me Grow:
216-736-4300

If you have further questions regarding our services, please contact us by emailing here.

Download Help Me Grow Referral Form

Frequently Asked Questions

Whom should I refer?
- Infants and toddlers with a delay or a suspected delay in one or more developmental areas: cognitive, adaptive, communication, social/emotional, and/or physical (including vision and hearing).
Click here for eligible risk and eligible Part C categories

- Infants and toddlers with atypical development- as demonstrated by abnormal or questionable sensory-motor resonses or by identified affective disorders.

- Infants and toddlers with environmental risk factors that put them at risk of developmental delays.

What prompts a referral?

- You or the parent of an infant or toddler has concerns or suspicions about the child's development, either through observation or by conducting a developmental screening.

What is the referral process?

Contact Help Me Grow of Cuyahoga County at 216-736-4300. You may also make a referral for the family by using the downloaded referral form, or provide contact information to the family. Referrals should be made within two days of identifying a child as potentially eligible.
Information needed for referral:
- Child's name, gender, and date of birth

- Name, address and telephone number of the parent or guardian

- Reason for referral (child has suspected or confirmed developmental delay or disability, or risk factors)

- Your name and telephone number

Note: the transmittal of confidential information requires written parental consent. Additional medical information may be requested with parent consent to assist in evaluation and program planning.

What else should I discuss with the family?

- A developmental screening and/or a more detailed evaluation and assessment of the child's development will be conducted at no cost to the family.

- Services are voluntary.

- If found eligible for services, the family will guide the development of a plan (IFSP) that identifies the services and supports needed to promote the child's development.

- Core services (Child Find, Service Coordination, Evaluations, IFSP, Transitions, Home Visits, Family Support, Procedural Safeguards) are provided at no cost. Specialized services are subject to a system of payment, fees or use of private insurance.

What else can I do to support the family?
- Volunteer to provide input into the development of each family's IFSP and to monitor its implementation.

- Develop and maintain relationships with those providing services to the child and family.

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