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The Basics of Early Intervention


The New York State Early Intervention Program (EIP) is part of the national Early Intervention Program for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families. First created by Congress in 1986 under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the EIP is administered by the New York State Department of Health through the Bureau of Early Intervention. In New York State, the Early Intervention Program is established in Article 25 of the Public Health Law and has been in effect since July 1, 1993.

To be eligible for EI services, children must be under 3 years of age and have a confirmed disability or established developmental delay, as defined by the State, in one or more of the following areas of development: physical, cognitive, communication, social-emotional, and/or adaptive. 

 

The Early Intervention Program offers a variety of therapeutic and support services to eligible infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families, including:


family education and counseling 

home visits

 parent support groups

special instruction
speech pathology and audiology
occupational therapy
physical therapy
psychological services
service coordination
nursing services
nutrition services
social work services
vision services
assistive technology devices and services

Nassau County Health Department
60 Charles Lindberg Blvd., Suite 100
Uniondale, New York 11553-3683
Main: 516-227-8661
Fax: 516-227-8662


Suffolk County Health Services
50 Laser Court
Hauppauge, New York 11788
Main: 631-853-3100
Fax: 631-853-2300

 Early Intervention Officials

Long Island 

 Early Intervention 

 Early Intervention Services 

Parents have rights under the Early Intervention Program that you should know.

Your Early Intervention Official is responsible for making sure you know about your rights. 

 

These rights include:

 

  • The right to say yes or no to having your child evaluated or screened and taking part in a family assessment.

  • The right to say yes or no to participating in the Early Intervention Program without risking the right to take part in the future.

  • The right to say yes or no to any certain type of early intervention service without risking your right to other types of early intervention services.

  • The right to keep information about your family private.

  • The right to look at and change your child's written record under the Early Intervention Program.

  • The right to be told by your Early Intervention Official about any possible changes in your child's evaluation or other early intervention services before any changes are made.

  • The right to take part – and ask others to take part – in all meetings where decisions will be made about changes in your child's evaluation or services.

  • The right to use due process procedures to settle complaints.

  • The right to an explanation of how your insurance may be used to pay for early intervention services. 

     

     

     

 How to Apply for Early Intervention 

A municipal Early Intervention Official (EIO) designated by the chief elected official of the municipality/county administers the Early Intervention Program locally. Contact your EIO for information about your local program or to refer a child. 

 

For information about the statewide program, contact the NYS Department of Health, Bureau of Early Intervention at (518) 473-7016 or e-mail bei@health.state.ny.us. 

Evaluation Sites on Long Island

Special Needs Planning Guide
http://www.p12.nysed.gov/specialed/publications/policy/parentguide.htm#SEPr 

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