Worcester, MA | Thom Worcester Area Early Intervention
Thom Worcester Area Early Intervention Program is committed to providing high quality, comprehensive, and family-centered early intervention services to infants, toddlers, their families, and others in the community who care for them. Our nurses, social workers, occupational and physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, mental health counselors, educators, and other specialists are passionate about supporting families and young children. If you have a concern regarding your child’s development, please contact us.
239 Mill Street, Suite B
Worcester, MA 01602
Communities We Serve:
- Auburn
- Leicester
- West Boylston
- Boylston
- Paxton
- Worcester
- Holden
- Shrewsbury
Check to see if we serve your area:
"I went from feeling powerless by the circumstances under which my child was born, to feeling powerful by the knowledge of how to specifically help my son.”
Services We Provide
▸ Early Intervention
Early Intervention (EI) in Massachusetts is a statewide, family-centered, developmental service. Thom Child & Family Services offers the earliest possible intervention and support for children birth to three years old and their families. Children can be eligible based upon developmental delays, identified disabilities, or certain birth or environmental circumstances that can put development at risk. Early Intervention services are provided in a child’s natural environment. Regular visits with Early Intervention providers can occur at home, at childcare, and in other community settings.
Our Locations
Early Intervention Programs
Specialty Toddler Groups
Thom Worcester Area Early Intervention offers developmentally appropriate groups and activities for infants and toddlers. Many groups offer parent to parent support and opportunities for parents to consult with Early Intervention staff regarding their child’s development. Groups meet one time per week. Most groups are attended by a parent or caregiver and child, some are attended by the child or parent(s) only. Our groups are held at our program site.
▸ Caregiver and Baby Group
This group creates a nurturing environment for infants to enhance their motor, communication, and social development. We also encourage caregivers to build a supportive community where they can connect and share insights on their child's growth and milestones. Sessions are filled with purposeful play, utilizing gross motor activities, fine motor challenges, and engaging sensory experiences to support every child's developmental journey.
(Ages Birth - 15 months)
▸ Speech and Language Stimulation Group
A new theme is explored each week to support speech and language development in children. A variety of communication modes are presented. Parents are offered support and strategies to facilitate communication development in their children.
(Ages 2 - 3 years)
▸ Family Music and Play Group
This group is led by a board certified music therapist. Music and musical activities are used to help children improve their language, motor, and social skills. Caregivers participate in the musical activities along with their child to help them within the group. Parents will learn new ways of introducing music into their child's daily routines.
(Ages 18 months - 3 years)
▸ Preschool Prep
Preschool Prep is a great way for older toddlers to adjust to preschool activities and routines. Children will participate in activities including a singing circle, snack time, gross motor play, creative and sensory play - all in a group designed just for their age range. This format allows numerous opportunities for social interactions, sharing and learning.
(Ages 27 months - 3 years)
Please talk to your home visitor if you are interested in one of these groups or leave a message in the Early Intervention office at 508-752-8466.
Other Program Services
- Consultation to childcare and other community providers
- Community developmental screenings
Collaboration and Linkages with:
- Anna Maria College
- Assumption College
- College of the Holy Cross
- Fitchburg State University
- Mass College of Pharmacy
- Simmons College
- Springfield College
- UMass Medical School
- UMass Medical School-Graduate School of Nursing
- UMass Memorial Medical Center
- Worcester Family Partnership
- Worcester Head Start
- Worcester State University
- YMCA of Central Massachusetts
- YWCA of Central Massachusetts
Latest News From Our Office
Celebrating 25 Years of Dedication at Thom Marlboro Area Early Intervention
Twenty-five years ago, Deb Melewski made a career change that led her into a new chapter filled with purpose and impact. After more than two decades […]
A Champion for Children and Families
Lori Holmes, LICSW, is a dedicated social worker with 22 years of experience at Thom Springfield Infant Toddler Services. She has a special passion for supporting […]Valued Members of the Thom Springfield Infant Toddler Services Team
We are thrilled to shine a spotlight on two invaluable colleagues, LuAnn Dorn and Gloria Wald, who exemplify the dedication and collaborative spirit that make our […]
Meet Our Staff
Thom Worcester Area Early Intervention
Thom Worcester Area Early Intervention is in the business of helping children and their families achieve their goals. We recognize that our success depends on the skills and experience of the people who work for us. Thom Worcester Area employs nearly 50 full and part-time staff members: therapists, teachers, nurses and social workers, many of whom have provided early intervention services in the Worcester area for over 15 years. The staff members of Thom Worcester Area are proud of their tradition of providing high quality EI services to the community.
Meet some of our dedicated staff:
Jeannine is a registered nurse with a bachelors degree in nursing. She has been on staff at our Worcester program for 6 years. Jeannine's experiences prior to her time in early intervention include a total of ten years at the UMass Memorial Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and the NICU at Schneider's Children's Hospital in Long Island. Jeannine's NICU experiences have prepared her well to support parents of premature or otherwise medically involved babies. Jeannine is generous with her knowledge and dedicated in her efforts to guide parents through their child's first years of life which are crucial to development. Jeannine is also the proud mother of triplets and has shared her experiences raising multiples with many families in the program.
Our Specialists
- Speech and Language Pathologists
- Physical Therapists
- Occupational Therapists
- Early Childhood Educators
- Nurses
- Social Workers
- Music Therapists
- Licensed Mental Health Counselors