Project Ninos ECI Program
What does the program do?
ECI is a statewide program for families with children, birth to three, with disabilities and developmental delays. ECI supports families to help their children reach their potential through developmental services. Services are provided by a variety of local agencies and organizations across Texas.
Who benefits from the program?
All children from birth to 36 months will benefit from this program, if child is found eligible during the evaluation process.
What areas/counties are covered by this program?
Jim Wells, Brooks, Duval, Kennedy, Kleberg, Jim Hogg, Webb, and Zapata counties.
When does a person qualify for the program?
ECI determines eligibility for children under age 3 based on:
Developmental delay
Children who are delayed in one or more of the following areas of development:
- Cognitive: difficulty with playing, learning and thinking
- Motor: gross, fine and oral
- Communication: limited understanding or responses in communicating with others
- Social-emotional: attachment problems, limited parent/family interactions or behavior concerns
- Self-help skills: feeding
Atypical development
Children who may perform within their appropriate age range on test instruments, but whose patterns of development are different from their peers.
- Atypical sensory-motor development: muscle tone, reflex or postural reaction responses, oral-motor skills and sensory integration
- Atypical language or cognition: state regulation, attention span, perseveration, information processing
- Atypical emotional or social patterns: social responsiveness, affective development, attachment patterns, and self-targeted behaviors
Medically diagnosed condition
Children who have a medically diagnosed condition with a high probability of developmental delay are automatically eligible for ECI services.
- Review list of medical diagnoses as provided by ECI through Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS).
- Children with auditory and/or vision concerns should be referred for eligibility determination.
Evaluation process must be done within 45 days of referral.
How does an individual enroll in the program?
Once a referral is received by your local ECI Program the program will check your child for developmental delay and eligibility for enrollment into the ECI Program.
Additional information about the program:
All ECI services are done in the child’s natural environment, which includes the home, day care, relatives’ home, preschool, etc. Project Niños has an office in Alice and one in Laredo. If your child is not eligible, your local ECI program will tell you in writing, and will explain to you. They will help you find other services, if needed. Some children may be eligible for a follow-along program. The follow along program is designed to remind you to regularly check your child’s development and call if concerns come up.
Contact information:
Administrator: Esperanza Garcia, Program Director
Anna Perez, Area Director (Laredo )
Administrator’s phone number: (361)661-1192 Ext.105
(956) 728-1769 (Laredo)
Main number to call (used by families): (361)661-1192 ext. 100, 888-858-7963 (Toll Free)
(956) 728- 1769(Laredo), 877-504-1769 (Toll Free Laredo)
Address: 65 N. Wright, Alice, TX 78332
5709 Springfield Avenue, Laredo, TX
Fax: (361)664-8955(Alice)
(956)722-1723(Laredo)
Hours of operation: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
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