Early Intervention Program (EI) is a statewide voluntary program offering therapeutic and support services for children with developmental delays. The Rockland County EI Program is subject to NYS regulations. The EI program assists families by identifying and evaluating infants and toddlers whose development may be delayed, and by providing appropriate intervention to assist the family in improving the child's development. The program offers services to children up to three years of age and their families. Early Intervention services are provided at no cost to families. Insurance information is required to be provided.
For more information visit the NYS EI Program.
The Early Intervention guidebook explains the program and parent's rights is available to download and is provided in many languages.
The steps in the EI process are outlined:
Referral
The first step is to contact the Early Intervention office at 845-364-2032 requesting your child to be evaluated. A child's parent, doctor, baby sitter, or other designated person can make a referral. An Initial Service Coordinator will be assigned and will contact the family to make an appointment to do an intake. An intake can be over the phone or in-person to; explain the program, obtain information about concerns, medical and birth history, developmental milestones, choose an evaluating agency and obtain insurance information.
Evaluation
Once the child has been referred, the parent will choose an evaluator from a list of approved agencies. The evaluation includes at least two disciplines; one being the family's area of concern, and a generalist who can address all domains. The 5 domains being assessed are, Motor Development, Cognitive, Communication, Social Emotional, and Adaptive. The evaluations are to determine if a child is eligible for the program. To be eligible, a child must have a 33% delay in one developmental domain or a 25% delay in two domains. If the child's communication is the only concern, then 2 standard deviations below the mean or other criteria as indicated in the NYS regulations are needed for eligibility.
Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)
After evaluations are completed, and the child is found eligible, an IFSP meeting is convened. This meeting is with the parent, evaluator and Initial Service Coordinator. The meeting is to review the evaluation results, assist the family in identifying the family's desired outcomes and arrange for the services needed to address those outcomes (such as speech, occupational therapy (OT), physical therapy (PT), special instruction (SI). If a child is eligible for services an Ongoing Service Coordinator (OSC) agency provider is then chosen by the parent. The OSC is responsible for monitoring service delivery, plan reviews, and to assist the family with CPSE transition out of EI. Services are usually provided in the most natural setting. For babies/toddlers this would be in their home or child care provider. Some toddlers may be recommended to attend an EI Group Developmental Model (GDM), which is a toddler program classroom.
Transportation
For children attending an GDM, door to door busing is provided. Or parents can be reimbursed at the IRS mileage rate for self-transport to and from the GDM only. For children getting services at a EI provider office, parents can be reimbursed.
Forms
Insurance Required:
IFSP Forms (Only if found eligible):
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