Family Centered Early Supports & Services
Early Intervention Services that Set the Stage for Success
Easterseals New Hampshire provides one-to-one supports and therapies to babies and toddlers during the most critical stage of development - birth to age three.
Our early intervention specialists partner with families across Southern New Hampshire to deliver life-changing therapies around speech, movement, feeding, and more. We meet with you where you and your child are most comfortable. That could be at your home, a relative’s home, a familiar childcare center, or another community setting. We also guide families toward continuing skill-building between therapy sessions. Together, we help your child reach their highest potential.
Why Easterseals Family Centered Early Supports and Services (FCESS)
- Convenience - Choice of therapy locations that work for your child and your family
- Affordability - Free evaluation at home or in the clinic. Free physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and specialized instruction for eligible children. There is never an out-of-pocket cost to families.
- Service Coordination – We coordinate services with pediatricians, schools, and other providers
- High-Quality, Evidence-Based Care – Our staff is licensed, credentialed pediatric professionals. They are certified in specialized techniques not widely found, including DIR Floortime, select mutism, and more.
- School Transition Services – We help your child make the transition to preschool or other services at age 3
- Ongoing Assessments – We track and provide updates on your child’s development
- Advocacy Training – We give you tools and training to help you work with your child’s schools, therapists, doctors, and community groups
- Direct Services in English and Spanish
- Family Resources and Support – Families learn how to incorporate therapy into their child’s daily activities
- Access to Additional Children’s Services through Easterseals NH, VT & Farnum, including Autism Services, Pediatric Outpatient Services, and inclusive Child Care.
Our Services
Our team of highly-qualified professionals has extensive experience supporting children with various conditions, including torticollis, down syndrome, Turner syndrome, feeding syndromes, hearing and vision disabilities, autism, and NAS (infants born with substance use addiction).
Our areas of expertise include the following:
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Speech/language pathology
- Early childhood special education
- Family support
Who We Serve
Children may be eligible for Easterseals NH FCESS at no cost if they are:
- ✓ Between the ages of 0 and 3 years old
- ✓ Have a developmental delay, an established condition, OR are at substantial risk for a developmental delay
- ✓ Live in our area of service (Greater Manchester or Greater Salem)
An ESS team will provide a Developmental Evaluation to determine your child’s eligibility according to federal and state criteria. For eligible children, the parents and the ESS team will develop an Individual Family Support Plan (IFSP) that includes family and child outcomes and strategies. The appropriate professional will initiate services.
Easterseals FCESS serves the following towns in Southern New Hampshire. If you do not see yours on the list, visit the New Hampshire Department of Health & Human Services (NHDHHS) to find your local Family Centered Early Supports and Services provider.
Greater Manchester: Auburn, Bedford, Candia, Goffstown, Hooksett, Londonderry, Manchester, New Boston
Greater Salem: Atkinson, Chester, Danville, Derry, Hampstead, Newton, Pelham, Plaistow, Salem, Sandown, Windham
Featured Story: What to Expect From Easterseals FCESS
Elise, a pediatric occupational therapist in our FCESS program, says she needs to understand all aspects of child development to do her job well. She’ll often consult with an interdisciplinary team of Easterseals colleagues, including speech and physical therapists. “We work with the whole child,” she says. “That’s what makes early intervention at Easterseals so unique.”
Read Elise’s story to learn what to expect during an ESS therapy session.
