NC ITP Providers

Provider Agreement 

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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 all NC ITP Policies and Procedures, including local and state procedural guidance, to provide services to children and families that meet both federal regulations and state requirements. 

NC ITP Policies and Procedures are available on the NC ITP website, at the following address: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/child-and-family-well-being/north-carolina-infant-toddler-program-nc-itp/nc-itp-staff    

NC ITP Provider Agreement 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

Professional Development Opportunities (optional)

These professional development opportunities have been approved for Infant-Toddler and Family Certification (ITFC) credits.

Future Training 

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

The Infant, Toddler and Family Certificate (ITFC) is a required credential for individuals that provide service coordination and special instruction services. 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

ITFC Application Process

CDSA service coordinators and contracted providers of special instruction are required and eligible to apply for the Infant-Toddler Family Certificate. To apply, complete and submit the Application for Infant, Toddler, and Family Certification to the Children's Developmental Services Agency (CDSA) for the county in which the services will be provided. The ITP Procedural Guidance for Personnel Certification provides more information on the requirements. 

Completion of the Another Human Service Field Worksheet is mandatory and utilized by the CDSA Director/approved designee to aid in determining if a degree is considered "another human service" field. 

A Letter of Certification (approval or denial) is provided by the Children’s Developmental Services Agency (CDSA) within 30 days of receipt of the application.   

ITFC Maintenance Process

The ITP Procedural Guidance for Personnel Certification specifies that 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. ITFC individuals will utilize the NC ITP Documentation of Continuing Professional Development form to record their annual professional development requirements. 

The ITP requires annual certification verification for anyone who holds an ITFC. The CDSA Director or designee/Provider Agency Director will review their staffs NC ITP Documentation of Continuing Professional Development form and supporting documentation. Then, utilizing the CBRS Provider-EISC Certification Verification form, the CDSA Director or designee/Provider Agency Director will attest that their staff have maintained ITFC. 

Continuing Professional Development 

The ITP requires quality evidence-based and -informed trainings for staff and network providers that meet the requirements for continuing professional development per the ITP Procedural Guidance for Personnel Certification

The ITP maintains the Continuing Professional Development Approved Entities which is a list of credible organizations and businesses that provide evidence-based trainings relevant to infants and toddlers with or without disabilities, and their families. To recommend a training organization or business, complete the Continuing Professional Development Organization/Business Request

Professional development opportunities that have been approved for Infant-Toddler and Family Certification (ITFC) credits can be found within the following links.  

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

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. 

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

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