- If you have health insurance, including Medicaid, it will be used to pay for Early Intervention services, at no direct cost to you.
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.
- Completing the Early Intervention Program Referral Form (Fillable PDF) and faxing it to the Citywide Early Intervention Referral Unit.
Early Intervention Providers make referrals by:
- Prior to June 3, 2024, Early Intervention Providers must utilize the New York Early Intervention System (NYEIS) to make referrals.
- Beginning June 3, 2024, Early Intervention Providers are required to complete the Early Intervention Program Referral Form (Fillable PDF) and fax it to the Citywide Early Intervention Referral Unit.
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
- Early Help Matters Brochure (PDF)
Other Languages: Español | 中文 | Русский | Français | বাংলা | العربية | Kreyòl ayisyen | 한국어 | اردو - Eight Things a Parent Should Know Before Starting the Early Intervention Program (PDF)
- Developmental Monitoring for Babies and Toddlers at Risk for Developmental Delays and Disabilities (PDF)
Other Languages: Español | Русский | 简体中文 | Kreyòl ayisyen | العربية | Français | 한국어 | বাংলা | اردو | ਪੰਜਾਬੀ - Your Family Rights in Early Intervention (PDF)
Other Languages: Español | Русский | 简体中文 | Kreyòl ayisyen | العربية | Français | 한국어 | বাংলা | اردو | ਪੰਜਾਬੀ - New York Early Intervention Services Outside of NYC
More Information
- Early Intervention: Information for Families
- Early Intervention: Information for Providers
- Early Intervention: Developmental Monitoring
- Early Intervention: Public Health Action Kit for Providers
- Learn more about the work of the Early Intervention Program by attending a public meeting of the Local Early Intervention Coordinating Council.
