There's a service the Burke Center in Lufkin is offering to parents of babies and toddlers in the area that you may not be aware of.

Early Childhood Intervention or ECI helps Texas children from birth to 36 months with developmental delays and disabilities. ECI is not new, as it has provided services for 25 years to Texas families, but for young parents with children showing signs of early developmental issues or delays, there's a place they can turn to request and receive specialized care.

Unfortunately, many children with a developmental delay are not identified until after they enter school. Early intervention can have a significant impact on a child's abilities to learn, and it reduces the need for additional intervention later in life.

The Burke Center says if your child shows "red flag" warnings or potential problems, talk to a doctor or call ECI for an evaluation.

According to Burke Center Child Find Coordinator Stuart Burson, there's really not a "qualification for services". He says it’s for anyone regardless of income. Burson noted the cost works on a sliding-fee scale, so it will depend on the family size and household income. However, he stated, all initial evaluations are free for everyone.

Don't wait; call the Burke Center today at 936-634-4703.