Frequently Asked Questions

Answers

1. What age children do you serve?
   We serve children from birth to third birthday in age.
2. What area do you serve?
   We serve children and families that live in McLennan, Hill, Bosque, Falls, Limestone, and Freestone counties in the state of Texas, U.S.A..
3. What is the cost of your services?
   Many of our services are at no charge to families, such as, screening, intake, evaluation, treatment planning, and service coordination. Other services are based on a sliding fee scale. Families with Medicaid have no cost for services.
4. Do you do formal testing on the children?
   Yes, most children are evaluated by standardized testing that is child-friendly yet structured for maximum accuracy and consistency.
5. Do I just bring my child to your center?
   No. All of our services are in the child's natural environment, meaning where he or she normally is. This means that rather than you coming to us for your services, we come to you. All services are delivered in your home, your child's child care, at a relative's or sitter's house, in a park or restaurant, or in other community settings that you may choose.
6. If I do decide to use your services, will everyone know that my child needs help?
   No. Our services are completely confidential. No information about you or your child is ever released to anyone without your written permission.
7. What services do you provide?
   We help families help their children by teaching families what they need to do during everyday life to help their children get better each and every day. We have early intervention specialists, speech pathologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, dietitians, vision and hearing specialists, social workers, behavior specialists, licensed professional counselors, a nurse, and others that help families help their children reach the goals that families have set for them. Plus every family is provided with their own personal service coordinator who constantly monitors the child's/family's needs and helps them access all the services they need.
8. What if I live way out of town and have no transportation to bring my child in?
   All of our services are provided in the home or other community setting of your choice like child care, Grandmother's house, a park, etc. We come to you and your child. You don't have to worry about finding a way to get to us. We come to you no matter where you live in McLennan, Hill, Bosque, Falls, Limestone, or Freestone county. If you live outside of these counties, another Texas ECI program will serve you no matter what Texas county you live in.
9. What if I work long hours and cannot meet during the day?
   We do offer some evening appointments. We will also go to your child's child care, or other place your child may be during the day to work with him/her and caregivers.
10. What if my child still needs help after age 3?
    Our services only extend up to a child's third birthday, but we always help families find the next available program/service for their child if he/she still needs help after turning three.
11. Do I have to get my doctor to refer my child to the Klaras Children's Center ECI?
    No. Although many of our children are referred by their doctors, a doctor's referral is not necessary. You may refer your child yourself at any time by calling 254-297-7089 or 254-297-7088, or toll free at 1-866-752-3451.
12. How do I get my child into Klaras Children's Center ECI?
    You may refer your child at any time by calling 254-297-7089 or 254-297-7088, or toll free at 1-866-752-3451.
13. My child has been kicked out of 3 child cares for biting. I don't know what to do. Can you help me?
    Yes, we may be able to help you. Sometimes young children are overly aggressive because they are overly sensitive to what's going on around them, and then they lash out in defense. Frequently we can help families tease out what is happening with their child and help them find ways to improve their child's behavior. We also work with child care staff, giving them techniques to use to find success for every student.
14. My child is doing some strange things like insisting on smelling all foods before eating them and licking the top of the kitchen table. No one in my family has ever seen a child do stuff like this before. I don't know what to do. Can you help me?
    Yes, we may very well be able to help you. Sometimes children can do things that seem very strange because they are trying to cope with how their bodies are interpreting what they are experiencing. We have a great deal of experience working with children who display these types of behaviors and know that the earlier these children are referred for help, the better the outcome. Please do not hesitate to contact us today.
15. My child is not making eye contact with me; it's like he is just looking right through me. He's only 10 months old; should I refer him to you now or wait?
    Since all of our screening and evaluation services are provided free of charge, there is no reason to wait. Please call us now. Some signs, like not looking at you, are red flags that should never be ignored. Please refer to the Behavior Checklist section of this website for more red flag behaviors. The difference in outcome for a child who is not looking at you that is referred at 10 months of age versus one that is referred at 30 months of age is astounding! Please do not wait.
16. I am really worried about my child, but my mom and even his doctor say wait and see. Should I call you anyway?
    Yes. We firmly believe that parents know their children better than anyone else in the world. If you are worried, call us. Our evaluations are provided free of charge. Please refer to the Behavior Checklist and Milestone Checklist of this website for more information.
17. Once my child starts your program, does she have to stay in it till she turns 3?
    No. ECI is a voluntary program meaning that families can decide to withdraw from the program at any time. In addition, many of our children "graduate" early, meaning they reach their goals before age 3 and are discharged with age-appropriate skills.
18. My child doesn't have Medicaid or any other insurance. Could you still help us?
    Yes. Insurance is not required. We charge based on a sliding scale that considers income and family size. In addition, our screening, intake, evaluation and service coordination services are free. Our service coordinators can also help you find out how to get insurance if you don't currently have any.