[ Ver esta página en español ]

Early Intervention

COVID-19 Precautions (Updated June 24) The Early Intervention Program is still operating as an essential service and taking precautions to keep our staff and families safe during the COVID-19 outbreak. To keep families safe and provide the support and services they need, we have made changes to our process: To submit a referral, call the Regional Office in the borough where your child lives directly. Do not fax.

Individualized Family Service Planning meetings are being conducted by phone. For more information, contact your service coordinator or call your Regional Office.

Early Intervention Providers are delivering services through teletherapy as much as possible. Regional Office Phone Numbers Bronx: 718-838-6887

Brooklyn: 718-722-3310 (main) / 718-722-7824 (referrals)

Manhattan: 212-436-0900

Queens: 718-553-3954

Staten Island: 718-568-2300 Early Intervention Guidance and Consent to Resume In-person Services The Early Intervention Program’s Return to In-Person Services Action Plan During COVID-19 (PDF, June 22)

Early Intervention Program Consent Form for In-Person Services During COVID-19 (PDF, June 22)

The Early Intervention Program helps young children (birth to 3 years) who are not learning, playing, growing, talking or walking like other children their age. The program works with your family to set meaningful goals for your child and create a service plan to help your child and your family meet those goals.

The earlier in life a child starts our program, the sooner they can learn the skills they need.

The Early Intervention Program is:

Available to all eligible New York City children, regardless of race, ethnicity, income, disability or immigration status

Confidential

Voluntary

Family-centered

Provided at no cost to families If you have health insurance, including Medicaid, it will be used to pay for Early Intervention services, at no direct cost to you.



Watch: Early Intervention Families Share Why Early Help Matters

Watch: How Early Intervention Services Work

Older Children If your child is 2 years and 11 months or older, you can find other services by calling 311 and asking for the “Committee on Preschool Special Education.”

Get Started by Making a Referral

If you have a concern about a child’s development, the Early Intervention Program can help by providing a free evaluation to find out if the child is eligible for our services.

Our program may be right for your family, or a family you know, if a child:

Is not learning, playing, growing, walking or talking like other children their age

Has a diagnosed condition that is likely to result in a delay in development

Families, doctors, and community members can make a referral by:

Calling 311 and asking for Early Intervention.

and asking for Early Intervention. Completing the Early Intervention Program Referral Form (PDF) and faxing it to a regional office in the family’s home borough.

Information about Early Intervention referrals for child care, health care and other providers is located on the Early Intervention: Information for Providers page.

Eligibility

Once your child has been referred, the program will assign your family a service coordinator to explain Early Intervention services and begin an evaluation. The service coordinator will help your family select an evaluation agency and will continue providing assistance while your child is in the program.

Our evaluation will tell you if your child is behind in developing skills compared to other children their age. These skills include taking a first step, smiling and waving. If your child has delays such as these, they may be eligible for Early Intervention.

If Your Child Is Not Eligible Not all children who are evaluated will be eligible for the Early Intervention Program. If your child is not eligible, and is younger than 3, you can enroll them in Early Intervention Developmental Monitoring. This free monitoring program will show you if your child is meeting the goals that are expected for their age. It is available for any family who thinks their child is at risk of having a developmental delay.

Additional Resources

More Information