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Wisconsin's Birth to 3 Program
Reviewed August 2025
The services and supports available to infants and toddlers who have developmental delays and disabilities are referred to as early intervention. In Wisconsin the Birth to 3 Program provides early intervention services to help children learn, communicate, interact with others, and thrive at home, in childcare, and other everyday activities. The Birth to 3 Program is administered by counties and considered a special education program.
Benefits of Asking for Help
The first 36 months are a critical time for every child. Getting children access to services during this period gives them a better start to learning and development. If you have not worked with a public agency or county government before, asking one for help with your child may not feel comfortable. This connection opens the door to resources that can support your child and family
Eligibility for Birth to 3 Program
Children younger than 36 months or age 3, who have the following may be eligible for Birth to 3 Program services:
- A developmental delay of at least 25% in one or more areas of development
- A physician-diagnosed condition with a high probability of developmental delay
- Atypical (unusual) development that negatively affects your child’s overall development
Keep in mind that a child does not need a diagnosis or be enrolled in Wisconsin Medicaid to be eligible.
Tips for Families
While you might hear wait and see or don’t worry so much from other parents or family, remember that you know your child best. Ask your child’s primary care provider and Birth to 3 Program staff to evaluate if early intervention services are needed.
Your Birth to 3 Program Team
Your family will work with a core team made up of an occupational, physical and speech therapist, in addition to an early childhood special educator, and a service coordinator. If needed, other providers like vision or hearing specialists, or social service providers can be added to the team based on your child’s and family’s needs.
The team’s service coordinator will help you find and connect with needed services. Your family’s and child’s interests and daily activities will be used to make a plan for them.
- See Birth to 3 Program Services at a Glance to learn more.
Birth to 3 Program Visits
The Birth to 3 Program provides services where you are every day. Learning and growing happens in the places your family spends time and during activities the child finds fun and engaging. Your child will develop and practice new skills more easily in the places where they use them.
There may be times when you can’t have the visit at your home and your Birth to 3 Program team understands this. The Birth to 3 Program team is happy to meet any place that’s a natural environment for your child. This means a place where your child is comfortable playing and learning. This might be a childcare center, a grandparent’s house, a library or even a park.
How Services Are Provided
As a parent or caregiver, you will learn how to be the child’s first and best teacher. The Wisconsin Birth to 3 Program brings you into this learning process. The team coaches parents or other caregivers on ways to continue helping the child learn during your family’s everyday activities and daily routines, when their providers are not there.
You will learn to communicate your child’s needs, help your child explore and grow, and understand your rights with the program. Your family will also continue to be supported by the full team of providers.
Getting Started
- You’ll need a referral to the Birth to 3 Program. This can come from you, a family member, your child’s primary care provider, or anyone in your child’s life. Start by finding your county’s local Primary Point of Referral at wisconsin.gov/birthto3/contacts.htm. You will talk with an intake staff member about your child and learn more about the program.
- Birth to 3 Program staff will set up a home visit to determine your child’s eligibility for the program. The screening uses the information you shared at intake as a starting point for the evaluation. For example, if your child seems to have delays around communication, a speech and language provider will be one of the early interventionists who evaluates and assesses your child.
- If your child is found eligible, a service coordinator will meet with your family to develop an Individualized Family Service Plan(IFSP). Your insights, goals and dreams for your child are important to the IFSP process because the team uses the IFSP to direct the services provided.
- If you have questions about your child’s progress or think changes to your child’s Birth to 3 Program services are needed, you can ask for a team meeting at any time.
Learn More
- Wisconsin Birth to 3 Program: dhs.wisconsin.gov/birthto3/index.htm
- Birth to 3 Program, Contact Us: dhs.wisconsin.gov/birthto3/contacts.htm
- Birth to 3 Services at a Glance: dhs.wisconsin.gov/publications/p03011.pdf
INFORMATION AND RESOURCES
Wisconsin Wayfinder: Children’s Resource Network, 877-WiscWay (877-947-2929): Wisconsin Wayfinder offers families one name and phone number to find services for children with special health care needs. Wayfinder connects you to a resource guide at one of the five Children’s Resource Centers in your area.
If you need this fact sheet as a pdf or other format contact Lynn at lynn@fvofwi.org.
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