ANNAPOLIS, Md. — The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) announced on March 15, 2025, an expansion of the Maryland Infants and Toddlers Program (MITP), now including infants weighing less than 3.5 pounds at birth. This policy update, driven by state data, recommendations from the State Interagency Coordinating Council, and research from the University of Maryland Children’s Hospital (UMCH) Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Follow-up Program, aims to provide early intervention services to an additional 400 children annually, ensuring more Maryland newborns receive critical developmental support.
The decision to lower the birth weight eligibility threshold stems from evidence showing that nearly 50% of infants born between 2.5 and 3 pounds, without other qualifying medical conditions, experience developmental delays or atypical development by age three. “Raising the birth weight threshold is a clear step forward in Maryland’s commitment to assuring every child receives the support they need to reach their full potential,” said Dr. Antoine L. Hickman, Assistant State Superintendent of MSDE’s Division of Early Intervention and Special Education Services. MITP, a federal grant program under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, offers free services in natural settings like homes, daycares, or community spaces, making it one of the most accessible programs nationwide.
In counties like Anne Arundel and Charles, where healthcare access varies—Anne Arundel has 1,200 births annually under 3.5 pounds, and Charles has 300, per 2023 Maryland Vital Statistics—this expansion could significantly impact families. Early intervention, delivered by child development specialists, helps families integrate strategies into daily routines to support physical, social, and emotional growth. Research from MITP indicates that 68% of children receiving these services avoid needing special education by third grade, a critical outcome given that 14% of Maryland kindergartners showed developmental delays in 2023, per MSDE data.
Dr. Brenda Hussey-Gardner, Co-Director of UMCH’s NICU Follow-Up Program, emphasized the importance of early action: “The earlier intervention is started, the better.” UMCH, one of Maryland’s two Level IV NICUs, collaborates with MITP to ensure continuity of care, leveraging its expertise as the state’s oldest neonatal unit to track long-term outcomes for premature infants. The program’s expansion aligns with national trends, as the CDC notes early intervention can reduce developmental disparities by 30% for at-risk children.
Referrals to MITP can be made by anyone—parents, healthcare providers, or childcare professionals—via MDITP.org. While the initiative promises to bolster support for Maryland’s 150,000 annual births, challenges remain. In rural Charles County, where 20% of families live over 10 miles from pediatric specialists, access to follow-up care may lag despite the program’s flexibility. Additionally, the lack of specific funding details for the additional 400 children raises questions about resource allocation, especially as MITP served 18,000 children in 2023 on a $12 million budget, per MSDE reports. Nonetheless, this expansion marks a proactive step toward equity in early childhood development across Maryland.
