How BabyNet Works in South Carolina: From Referral to Services
If you are worried about how your baby or toddler is growing, learning or communicating, the next step can feel confusing. Who do you call? Do you need a doctor's note? What happens after you ask for help?
Here is the process in plain language, so you know what to expect before you start.
What is BabyNet?
BabyNet is South Carolina's early intervention program for children from birth to age 3. It is run by the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and supports children who have developmental delays or conditions that are linked to delays. It is built on a federal law (IDEA Part C), and it is available to families in every county, including Greenville, Spartanburg and Anderson.
BabyNet services are provided at no cost to families.
Step 1: Make a referral
You do not need a doctor's referral. Anyone with a concern about a young child's development can make one, including parents, grandparents, other caregivers, pediatricians and childcare teachers.
There are two ways to refer:
Online: fill out the BabyNet online referral form.
By phone: call the BabyNet Central Referral Team at 1-866-512-8881.
If you are not sure your concern is "big enough," refer anyway. It is always appropriate to ask.
Step 2: A BabyNet team member contacts you
After the referral, someone from the Central Referral Team will reach out to explain the program and the services it offers. If you would like to continue, they will schedule an intake appointment. You choose whether to move forward at every stage, and your consent is required for the evaluation.
You will also receive a packet of forms to review and sign, which is sent electronically. Take your time, and ask questions if anything is unclear.
Step 3: Intake and evaluation
An intake coordinator will talk with you about your concerns, your child's history, and what matters most to your family. Then your child will be evaluated across all areas of development, such as communication, movement, thinking and learning, social-emotional skills and self-help skills.
This is not a pass-or-fail test, and your child doesn't need to "perform." You are part of the process. You know your child best, and what you share about their daily routines matters as much as what the evaluator sees.
A child qualifies in South Carolina if they have a diagnosis known to cause lifelong disability, or a significant delay: at least 40 percent in one area of development, or at least 25 percent in two areas.
Step 4: Your plan (the IFSP)
If your child is eligible, your team meets to write an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). The team includes you, a service coordinator, and the intake coordinator who did the evaluation. The plan describes your child's strengths, the goals you want to work on, and the services that will help, including how often they will happen.
A few things to know:
The goal is to have your plan in place within 45 days of your referral.
You make the decisions. You must give consent before each service starts, and before insurance is used for any services in the plan.
You choose your provider. You will be offered a choice of early intervention providers, and you can select the one that fits your family best.
The plan is reviewed. Services are authorized for up to six months at a time, and the team reviews the plan regularly and updates it as your child grows.
Step 5: Services begin, and they happen where your child lives and plays
Early intervention is designed around everyday life. Visits usually take place at home or in other familiar places, and the focus is on coaching you, the caregiver, so that you can support your child's learning during ordinary routines like meals, bath time, diaper changes and play. Services continue until your child turns 3, and your service coordinator will help you plan for what comes next.
What if my child doesn't qualify?
You still have options. You can appeal the decision, and you can refer again at any time before your child's third birthday if your concerns continue or your child's needs change. A pediatrician can also help you look at other supports.
Quick answers
Do I need a doctor's referral? No. A parent or caregiver can refer directly.
Does it cost anything? BabyNet services are provided at no cost to families.
How long does it take? The goal is an evaluation and plan within 45 days of the referral.
Can I choose my provider? Yes. If your child is eligible, you will be offered a choice of providers.
What if I'm not sure there's a problem? Refer anyway. Early support makes a difference, and asking does not commit you to anything.
How ABC Early Intervention can help
When it is time to choose a provider, we would be honored to be your team. We serve families
in Greenville, Spartanburg and Anderson counties, and our early interventionists and case managers work alongside you, coaching you on simple strategies you can use every day.
Not sure where to start? Call us at 864-962-7070 or make a referral through our website, and we will walk you through it. Not sure what to look for first? See our milestones guide.
One screening can make a world of difference.
Information in this post is based on the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services BabyNet program (scdhhs.gov/BabyNet) and its published procedures for eligibility and the IFSP. Program details can change, so confirm current steps with BabyNet. This post is for general education and is not medical advice.
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