EC CARES provides early intervention and early childhood special education services to infants, toddlers and preschool children in
Lane County. Over 1200 children who have developmental delays or disabilities are served each year.
Educational services include home visits, parent-toddler groups, specialized preschools, consultation to children in community
preschools or speech therapy. Staff who work for EC CARES have teaching licenses or state authorization to teach young children.
They are specialists in early intervention/early childhood special education, speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational
therapy, behavior and autism.
EC CARES is funded by the Oregon Department of Education with state and federal dollars. It is one of nine programs in Oregon and is
also similar to programs throughout the United States. All educational services are free to eligible children and their families.
EC CARES is a well-established program that has been operating in its current form since 1992. The program was initiated in 1977
to serve children from birth to three years with developmental delays and disabilities. In 1992, funding was moved from the Oregon
Mental Health Division to the Oregon Department of Education and the scope of services increase to serve children from birth to
school age with developmental needs in the areas of behavior, speech and language, cognitive, fine and gross motor, self-care and
social skills. It is a large organization that employs staff with a wealth of information and experience in teaching parents and
children.
EC CARES is part of the College of Education at the University of Oregon and subcontractor of Lane Education Service District (ESD).
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