NC ITP Providers

Provider Agreement 

Two children sliding down a slide

The NC ITP Provider Agreement is a legally binding document that establishes the relationship between the NC ITP/Children's Development Services Agency (CDSA) and a service provider. The Provider Agreement is required to enable a provider to serve families with infants and toddlers through the NC ITP and requires providers to implement services as written in the individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). Providers who sign this document must comply with the NC ITP policies and procedures and provide services that meet both federal regulations and state requirements. 

ITP Provider Documents

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Staff and providers who work with families with infants and toddlers enrolled in the North Carolina Infant-Toddler Program (ITP) must complete select trainings to ensure that ITP workforce maintains foundational knowledge and skills informed by evidence-based practices necessary to best support our families.

Training and professional development information included on this webpage are updated periodically to include the most up-to-date trainings, resources, and information for our workforce.

Trainings

Future Training 

  • Orientation to the North Carolina Infant-Toddler Program  
  • Introduction to the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)  
  • Infant Mental Health Modules/Competencies  

The ITP’s credential is the Infant, Toddler and Family Certificate. It applies to early intervention service coordination and special instruction services. Follow these steps to obtain your certification: 

Meet the Standards 

Individuals who serve infants and toddlers in the ITP need specialized knowledge and skills. These are necessary in working with the diverse young children, families, caregivers and professionals they will encounter. Potential certificate awardees must have received a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university in one of the following fields: 

  • Birth-Kindergarten Education 
  • Early Childhood Special Education 
  • Special Education 
  • Education 
  • Elementary Education 
  • Child Development 
  • Child and Family Studies 
  • Counseling 
  • Human Development 
  • Family Relations 
  • Family Studies 
  • Family and Consumer Sciences 
  • Nursing 
  • Psychology 
  • Social Work 
  • Another human services field 

Know the Process 

CDSA Early Intervention Service Coordinators and contracted providers of special instruction are eligible to apply for the Infant-Toddler Family Certificate. Complete and submit your application to the CDSA for the county where the services will be provided. 

Complete the Process 

CDSAs will award or deny the certificate within 30 days of application receipt based on degree attainment. 

ITP Policy and Procedures for Personnel Certification
Application for Infant, Toddler, and Family Certification 
The North Carolina Infant-Toddler Program (ITP) Guidance for Personnel Certification (Guidance) applies to early intervention service coordination and special instruction services. A Letter of Certification is provided by the Children’s Developmental Services Agency (CDSA) for the county in which services are provided. 

Free Continuing Professional Development Opportunities 2023
Free Continuing Professional Development Opportunities (2019 and prior) |
The North Carolina Infant-Toddler Program (ITP) Guidance for Personnel Certification applies to early intervention service coordination and special instruction services. Under this guidance, continuing professional development is required for all Infant, Toddler, and Family Certificate holders. The annual continuing professional development requirement is 10 contact hours (1.0 CEU) per year, to be obtained between January 1 and December 31 of the year. Contact hours/CEU credits must focus on infants and toddlers with or without disabilities, and their families. 

N.C. ITP Documentation of Continuing Professional Development 
This is the official documentation for continuing professional development and may be requested by the CDSA for verification of information. 

N.C. ITP Continuing Professional Development Organization/Business Request 
The ITP maintains a list of credible organizations and businesses that provide evidence-based trainings relevant to infants and toddlers with or without disabilities and their families. Use this form to recommend a training organization/business to add to the Continuing Professional Development Approved Entities list.

The Be Early Brochure provides basic information about the ITP and what to do if there are concerns about a child's development. It also includes a checklist of developmental milestones for the first year of life. 

The Milestones Chart helps parents determine whether their child is meeting developmental milestones during the first three years. 

The Assistive Technology Loaning Program provides proper care and cleaning instructions for assistive technology devices. 

Early Childhood Transitions in NC: A Parent's Guide to the Infant-Toddler & Preschool Programs helps parents be successful partners in planning for their child's transition from the Infant-Toddler Program to the Preschool Program. 

The Eligibility Definition describes who is eligible for services in the NC Infant Toddler Program under the Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). 

Growing Up Naturally - Early Intervention in Natural Environments provides practical information and guidance on the rationale behind the "what," "why," and "how" to provide services in a child's natural environment and the benefits to children, families and the programs that serves them. 

Guiding Practices for Early Childhood Transitions in NC provides an outline of activities, timelines, and recommended practices to facilitate a child's transition from the Infant-Toddler Program to the Preschool Program. 

Infant Toddler Program Guidance to Personnel Certification 2014 describes the requirements and competencies necessary to be certified in the ITP. 

Infant Toddler Program Guide to Reimbursement Procedures serves as a guide to the Children’s Developmental Services Agencies (CDSA) staff for reporting and billing for services. 

Notice of Child & Family Rights describes the child and family's rights while in the ITP, as defined by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). 

Condensed Versions:  

Full Versions:  

The Parent Handbook helps parents understand the role and philosophy of the Infant-Toddler Program and answers key questions concerning its policies and procedures. 

Teleservices Resources for Early Intervention is a list of provider resources for use of teletherapy within Early Intervention.  

Teletherapy in the NC Infant-Toddler Program is a flyer to help parents decide whether teletherapy is right for them. 

The Importance of Early Intervention provides information on the importance, benefits, and the take-home messages of early intervention. 

Working Together to Support Children's Learning and Development outlines how CDSA staff and community providers use coaching to help caregivers support their children's learning and development.