What is Early Intervention?

First created by Congress in 1986 under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the Early Intervention Program (EIP) is administered and managed by the New York State Department of Health. The EIP is part of a national program for both infants and toddlers with disabilities as well as their families. In order to be eligible for EIP services, children must be three years of age or younger and have a confirmed disability or established developmental delay as diagnosed by the State of New York. This disability or delay may take place in one or more of the following areas of child development: physical, cognitive, communication, social-emotional, and/or adaptive. Through the EIP, both parents and children are offered an array of different services including counseling, speech pathology or audiology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, psychological services, nursing services, nutrition services, social work services, vision services, and assistive technology devices.

Who is Early Intervention For?

The Early Intervention Program is for children less than three years of age who have or are suspected of having a developmental delay and/or disability. Essentially children who are diagnosed with conditions that lead to developmental delays are eligible for the EIP. Children with no diagnosis who have delays in development may be eligible for the EIP if their delays are serious enough.

Eligibility

Referral by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYCDOH) is necessary to access EIP services. Therefore the first step in receiving the services is by contacting the DOH. Prior authorization by NYCDOH is necessary in order to receive the services. If your child was found eligible to receive early intervention services, then a mandate drafted by the NYCDOH is needed prior to beginning the service.

You can contact the appropriate office at the NYCDOH by dialing 311 (if you are outside of NYC, you can reach the DOH at 212-639-9675).

You can also the New York City web page for additional resources on the IEP by clicking here.

For additional guidelines you can visit the New York State webpage on EIP by clicking here.

Funding

Early Intervention services are a public program funded by New York State and county governments. The services do not include out-of-pocket costs to parents, but health insurance may be accessed for reimbursement for some of the services.

It should be understood that the NYCDOH arranges for service providers to deliver services it authorizes. EIP does not pay for or reimburse any private tutoring services. EIP only covers services mandated by the NYCDOH.  

The Goals of Early Intervention Services

There are several mission goals and objectives of the EIP. One such mission is family-centered in supporting parents to meet their responsibilities in enhancing their child’s development. Another goal is to create opportunities for children with disabilities and their families in their respective communities to receive the maximum efforts of EI providers regardless of where they may live. In addition, offering coordinated services that blend a variety of services such as educational, social, medical, emotional and other community based services is a priority for the EIP. Another priority for the EIP is to have measurable outcomes and expectations set for both children and families in order to enhance the child’s development and functional outcomes. A major mission for the EIP is to also ensure that early intervention services are complementing the child’s medical health plan via communicating with primary and specialty health care providers. Lastly, the EIP sets the highest standard of quality assurance in terms of quality, access, consistency, and accountability for all students and families who are serviced. 

How we make our efforts to serve Early Intervention

Tutors on Wheels is proud to announce its expansion into the New York State EIP. As a long standing  and successful partner of the Department of Education in providing special education services to school age students grades K-12, it is our ambition to expand our high level of dedication and competence to toddlers and infants who have been diagnosed with developmental disabilities and delays. If you or someone you know is in need of a referral for a early intervention provider, please fill out the form below. With this contact information, we will reach out to an eligible EI provider to call you and discuss how they will be able to help your child grow developmentally. Remember that early help makes a difference!