An Approved nyc early intervention program

Professionals such as doctors can refer your infant or toddler to the EIP, unless you object, when there is a concern about your child’s development. If you have a concern, you can also refer your child to the EIP in the county where you live. County contacts can be found online at: www.health.ny.gov/community/
infants_children/early_intervention/county_eip.htm Or, you can call the “Growing Up Healthy” 24-hour Hotline at 1-800-522-5006; in New York City dial 311.
You may talk with your doctor or someone you trust and ask him/her to help you with the referral. You must decide if the EIP makes sense for you and your child. Before your child is evaluated for the program and receives services, you must give your
written permission.

One of the first persons you will meet in the EIP is your Initial Service Coordinator (ISC). Your ISC will talk with you about your concerns for yourchild’s development. She or he will answer any questions you have about the EIP. The ISC will also:
• Review your family’s rights and make sure you understand them,
• Talk with you about your child’s evaluation for the EIP, and how this evaluation will determine if your child is eligible to receive services through
the EIP,
• Give you the list of evaluators in your county and help you pick one that will meet your child’s and family’s needs,

• With your permission, help arrange for your child’s evaluation,
• Help you arrange for transportation to your child’s evaluation, if you need it,
• Attend your child’s evaluation if you wish,
• Inform you that, in NYS, EI services must be provided at no cost to your family. 

If you decide that the EIP can help your child and family, the next step is to have your child evaluated. This evaluation is called a Multidisciplinary Evaluation
(MDE). “Multidisciplinary” means that a team of qualified professionals from different disciplines or professions will take part in your child’s evaluation. Children with certain diagnosed conditions are
automatically eligible for the EIP. For these children, the purpose of the MDE is to assess your child’s strengths, needs, and current level of functioning in all areas of development. The five areas of develop –
ment that will be looked at to assist in developing the IFSP are: cognitive (learning and thinking), physical
(growth, vision and hearing, gross and fine motor abilities), communication (understanding and using words), social-emotional (relating to others), and adaptive (self-help skills, such as feeding). If
suspected of having a developmental delay, your child will be evaluated to determine if he or she is eligible for EI services and supports.

The Individualized Family Service Plan, or IFSP, is a written plan that will be specially designed for you, your child, and your family that outlines and explains the EI services your child and family will receive.
If the MDE shows that your child is eligible for the EIP, your ISC will set up an IFSP meeting to sit down and write your IFSP. The IFSP is a very important document and you are an important member of the
team that develops it. If you need extra time to think about the plan, ask for it. You may want to discuss the plan with other family members or review it to make
sure it meets the needs of your child and family. You will be asked to sign your IFSP when the plan is finished. When you sign the IFSP, you show that you were at the IFSP meeting and that you agree to the
services in the plan. You are also giving your consent to start EI services.

The federal law that created the EIP says that EI services must be provided in natural environments as much as possible. Natural environments are settings where infants and toddlers, with and without special
needs, and their families participate in everyday routines and activities that are important to them, and serve as important learning opportunities. Natural
environments can include your home, places where child care is provided, playgrounds, restaurants, public transportation, libraries, supermarkets, places of worship, and other community settings. Natural environments are not just about places or locations, they are also about family routines and activities
including family meals, bathing, bed time, family celebrations, household chores, and visiting family and friends. There may be some services that are provided at an agency or a school that specializes
in EI services if this is the setting that is best for your child.

A transition plan must be developed for all children leaving the EIP, including going to Preschool Special Education or other services, on or close to their third
birthday. The transition plan should include any help, support, and services that you and your child might need to adjust to the change in services and make a smooth transition. Discussions of the transition plan should start with your child’s first IFSP. Some children will no longer need any services. Other children and
families may go on to early childhood programs or to other services in their community. If you or someone else thinks that your child is eligible for preschool
special education services, your service coordinator will notify the Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) in your school district. You will have
the opportunity to “opt-out” of the CPSE notification. The OSC cannot take this step if you object.