Early intervention by the numbers: how many babies get help in each state
On the fall 2024 federal child count, 456,434 infants and toddlers in the 50 states and DC were receiving free early intervention services under IDEA Part C for a developmental delay or disability — about 1 in 24 children under 3 (4.12%).
But that national average hides an enormous spread. We computed each state's share from the latest U.S. Department of Education data — here's how they compare, and what it means if you're a parent.
7×
Massachusetts's share of under-3s served (10.6%) is about seven times Arkansas's (1.53%).
88.7%
of children in early intervention get services primarily at home — providers come to you, not the other way around.
1 in 24
children under 3 nationwide were in early intervention on the fall 2024 count — 456,434 in the 50 states + DC.
51
sets of eligibility rules. Part C is federal law, but every state + DC decides who qualifies — a big reason the rates differ so much.
All 50 states + DC, ranked by share of under-3s served
Percentage of each state's under-3 population receiving Part C services on the 2024 count. Click a state for its program's phone number and how to start.
| # | State | % of under-3s served | Children served | Vs. 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | 10.60% | 22,312 | +0.4% |
| 2 | New Mexico | 10.49% | 6,686 | +6.2% |
| 3 | West Virginia | 8.51% | 4,308 | -2.3% |
| 4 | North Dakota | 7.32% | 2,129 | +17.8% |
| 5 | Vermont | 6.84% | 1,079 | -2.4% |
| 6 | New Hampshire | 6.75% | 2,486 | +2.0% |
| 7 | Connecticut | 6.55% | 7,150 | +2.7% |
| 8 | Rhode Island | 6.51% | 2,021 | +6.8% |
| 9 | Pennsylvania | 6.45% | 25,269 | -2.4% |
| 10 | Wyoming | 6.40% | 1,165 | +1.0% |
| 11 | Indiana | 5.92% | 14,276 | -4.2% |
| 12 | New Jersey | 5.63% | 17,788 | -2.1% |
| 13 | Kansas | 5.41% | 5,580 | +0.4% |
| 14 | Colorado | 5.29% | 9,914 | +6.0% |
| 15 | District of Columbia | 5.04% | 1,216 | -1.4% |
| 16 | South Carolina | 5.00% | 8,809 | +2.9% |
| 17 | Washington | 4.99% | 12,585 | +5.0% |
| 18 | New York | 4.99% | 31,425 | -1.7% |
| 19 | California | 4.85% | 60,457 | -2.0% |
| 20 | Delaware | 4.65% | 1,539 | -7.7% |
| 21 | Maryland | 4.54% | 9,371 | -2.1% |
| 22 | Illinois | 4.53% | 17,530 | +2.2% |
| 23 | Michigan | 4.31% | 13,308 | +1.1% |
| 24 | Virginia | 4.30% | 12,329 | -1.1% |
| 25 | Missouri | 4.10% | 8,449 | -2.7% |
| 26 | Tennessee | 3.95% | 9,892 | +4.6% |
| 27 | Ohio | 3.72% | 14,422 | +2.6% |
| 28 | Louisiana | 3.64% | 6,050 | -7.5% |
| 29 | Wisconsin | 3.55% | 6,446 | -1.0% |
| 30 | Maine | 3.53% | 1,260 | -6.7% |
| 31 | Nevada | 3.45% | 3,455 | -6.7% |
| 32 | Minnesota | 3.42% | 6,549 | +2.2% |
| 33 | South Dakota | 3.41% | 1,168 | -5.2% |
| 34 | Alaska | 3.30% | 897 | -3.7% |
| 35 | Oregon | 3.29% | 3,915 | -6.8% |
| 36 | Utah | 3.29% | 4,508 | -7.7% |
| 37 | Nebraska | 3.17% | 2,348 | +0.3% |
| 38 | Idaho | 3.05% | 2,082 | -9.1% |
| 39 | Hawaii | 3.01% | 1,370 | -16.8% |
| 40 | Kentucky | 3.00% | 4,783 | +2.6% |
| 41 | Texas | 2.75% | 32,777 | +2.5% |
| 42 | Iowa | 2.73% | 3,033 | -1.2% |
| 43 | North Carolina | 2.73% | 10,120 | -3.1% |
| 44 | Alabama | 2.59% | 4,552 | +0.5% |
| 45 | Arizona | 2.56% | 6,088 | +2.4% |
| 46 | Florida | 2.34% | 16,153 | -10.1% |
| 47 | Georgia | 2.28% | 8,669 | -1.8% |
| 48 | Mississippi | 1.96% | 2,018 | +4.9% |
| 49 | Montana | 1.93% | 649 | -12.8% |
| 50 | Oklahoma | 1.67% | 2,420 | -10.7% |
| 51 | Arkansas | 1.53% | 1,629 | -3.7% |
Download the data: early-intervention-2024-by-state.csv — free to reuse and cite with a link to this page.
Why do the rates differ so much?
Part C of IDEA is federal law and exists in every state, but each state writes its own eligibility rules: how much of a delay qualifies, how it's measured, and whether children who are at risk of delay (rather than already showing one) are covered. In the 2024 federal data, seven states — California, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Mexico, West Virginia — also served about 5,048 at-risk infants and toddlers under that option, reported separately from (and in addition to) the totals in the table above.
States also differ in how actively they screen and refer children, and in provider capacity. The federal data alone can't say exactly how much each factor contributes — but the size of the gap is the point: where a child lives changes how likely they are to be getting help.
If your state ranks low, that is not a reason to skip the call. A low share usually means narrower eligibility rules or fewer families knowing the program exists — not that help is unavailable. The evaluation is free in every state, and you can request it yourself — no doctor's referral needed.
What this means if you're worried about your child
- The evaluation is free everywhere, no matter where your state ranks. Eligibility rules differ; the right to a free evaluation doesn't.
- Services mostly come to your home — for 88.7% of children nationally, home is the primary setting: a therapist works with your child in your living room, around your routines.
- Hundreds of thousands of families use this every year. If you call, you're not overreacting — you're doing what 456,434 other families are already doing.
- Find your state's program and phone number — or grab the exact words to say when you reach out.
Early intervention statistics: common questions
How many children receive early intervention in the United States? +
On the fall 2024 federal child count, 456,434 infants and toddlers in the 50 states and DC were receiving IDEA Part C early intervention services for a developmental delay or disability — about 4.12% of all children under 3, or roughly 1 in 24. Seven states served about 5,048 additional at-risk infants and toddlers, reported separately. Including the U.S. territories, the official national count is 458,920.
Which state has the highest rate of early intervention? +
Massachusetts — 10.6% of its children under 3 were receiving Part C services for a delay or disability on the fall 2024 count, the highest share of any state on the standard federal measure. (New Mexico also serves at-risk children under a state option; counting those, its share reaches about 11.4%.) Arkansas had the lowest share at 1.53%.
Why do early intervention rates vary so much by state? +
Part C is federal law, but each state sets its own eligibility rules — including how much delay qualifies a child and whether "at-risk" children are covered. States also differ in screening, outreach, and provider capacity. A low state rate does not mean your child is less likely to have a delay; it usually reflects narrower rules or fewer families knowing the program exists.
Where do children receive early intervention services? +
Mostly at home: 88.7% of infants and toddlers in Part C received services primarily in their home on the 2024 count. Early intervention is designed around "natural environments" — providers come to the places your child already spends time.
Methodology & sources
Children served: the U.S. Department of Education's IDEA Section 618 State Part C Child Count and Settings files (2024-25 collection, extracted July 30, 2025; prior-year comparison from the 2023-24 file). We use each state's "Total" birth-through-2 count — a point-in-time count of children with active IFSPs, reported by each state as of a date it chooses between October 1 and December 1 (34 C.F.R. §303.721). Year-over-year change compares the same measure across the two collections.
Population: Census Bureau state population estimates (vintage 2024, civilian population, ages 0–2, July 1, 2024; "civilian" excludes only active-duty service members, so for children under 3 it is effectively the full resident population). Percent served = children served ÷ under-3 population. National figures here cover the 50 states + DC (456,434); the official national count including U.S. territories is 458,920.
Caveats: states set their own eligibility rules, so the share served reflects policy choices as much as need — this is a measure of program reach, not of how many children have delays. The count date (fall) and the population estimate date (July 1) differ by a few months. Seven states also serve "at-risk" infants and toddlers under a state option — 5,048 children in 2024, reported separately and not included in the totals above (counting them, New Mexico's share would be the nation's highest at about 11.4%). "At home" reflects each child's primary service setting. Point-in-time counts understate the number of families served across a full year.
Journalists and researchers: this analysis is free to cite with a link to this page. Questions or a custom cut of the data — email [email protected].