The Early Intervention Program is designed to support young children from birth to 3 years old who may be experiencing developmental delays. If your child isn’t reaching milestones in areas like learning, playing, growing, talking, or walking compared to their peers, this program can provide valuable assistance. We partner with families to establish meaningful goals for each child and develop a personalized service plan to help them achieve these goals together.
Starting early is key. The sooner a child begins in our program, the faster they can acquire the essential skills they need to thrive.
The Early Intervention Program offers several key benefits:
- Accessibility: It’s available to all eligible children in New York City, regardless of race, ethnicity, income, disability, or immigration status.
- Confidentiality: Your family’s information is kept private and secure.
- Voluntary Participation: Enrolling in the program is entirely your choice.
- Family-Centered Approach: We work closely with families, recognizing them as integral partners in their child’s development.
- Cost-Free Services: The program is provided at no direct cost to families. If you have health insurance, including Medicaid, it will be utilized to cover Early Intervention services, ensuring no financial burden on your family.
Watch this video to hear from families about the importance of early intervention
Learn more about how Early Intervention services work in this video
For Older Children:
If your child is approaching 3 years old (2 years and 11 months or older), and you are seeking services, please contact 311 and ask for the “Committee on Preschool Special Education” to explore available options.
Getting Started with Early Learning Intervention
If you have concerns about your child’s development, the Early Intervention Program offers a free evaluation to determine if your child qualifies for our services.
Our program could be the right fit for your family, or a family you know, if a child:
- Shows delays in learning, playing, growing, walking, or talking compared to other children of the same age.
- Has been diagnosed with a condition that is likely to cause developmental delays.
Referrals can be made by families, doctors, and community members through the following methods:
- Phone Referral: Simply dial 311 and request Early Intervention information and referral.
- Referral Form: Complete the Early Intervention Program Referral Form (Fillable PDF) and fax it to the Citywide Early Intervention Referral Unit.
Early Intervention Providers can also make referrals:
- Prior to June 3, 2024: Providers were required to use the New York Early Intervention System (NYEIS).
- Beginning June 3, 2024: Providers are required to complete the Early Intervention Program Referral Form (Fillable PDF) and fax it to the Citywide Early Intervention Referral Unit.
For detailed information regarding Early Intervention referrals for child care, healthcare, and other providers, please visit the Early Intervention: Information for Providers page.
Determining Eligibility for Early Learning Intervention
Once a referral is made for your child, a service coordinator will be assigned to your family. This coordinator will explain the Early Intervention services in detail and guide you through the evaluation process. They will assist you in selecting an evaluation agency and will continue to provide ongoing support throughout your child’s participation in the program.
The evaluation process will assess whether your child is experiencing delays in reaching developmental milestones compared to other children their age. These milestones encompass a wide range of skills, from taking first steps to smiling and waving. If the evaluation indicates such delays, your child may be eligible for Early Intervention services.
What Happens if My Child Is Not Eligible?
It’s important to know that not every child who undergoes an evaluation will be eligible for the Early Intervention Program.
If your child is not found eligible and is under the age of 3, you have the option to enroll them in Early Intervention Developmental Monitoring. This free program monitors your child’s development and tracks their progress towards age-appropriate milestones. It’s available to any family who has concerns about their child’s developmental progress or potential delays.
