[ Ver esta página en español ]
Early Intervention
COVID-19 Precautions
The Early Intervention Program is delivering high-quality services to children and families while taking precautions to keep everyone safe during COVID-19.
To keep families safe and provide the support and services they need, you can:
- Attend your child’s Initial Individualized Family Service Planning meeting in person.
- Attend your child’s Review and Annual Individualized Family Service Planning meetings by phone.
- Decide if you want your Early Intervention services delivered through teletherapy, in person or a mixture of both.
- Contact your service coordinator or call your Regional Office with any concerns or for more information.
Regional Office Phone Numbers
- Bronx: 718-838-6887 (main) / 347-854-1986 (referrals)
- Brooklyn: 718-694-6000 (main) / 718-694-6002 (referrals)
- Manhattan: 212-436-0900
- Queens: 718-553-3954
- Staten Island: 718-568-2300
Current COVID-19 Guidance
On February 9, 2023, the NYC Health Commissioner issued an order rescinding the requirement that staff working for Early Intervention provider agencies be vaccinated against COVID-19.
As of June 10, 2022, Early Intervention providers and caregivers are no longer required to wear masks during the delivery of Early Intervention services.
- Order of the Board of Health Rescinding Orders Requiring COVID-19 Vaccination in Child Care and Early Intervention Programs for Nonpublic School Staff and for Individuals Working In Certain School Programs (PDF, February 9, 2023)
- Updated Early Intervention Program COVID-19 Precaution Guidance (PDF, February 9, 2023)
- Vaccination and Mask Requirements for Early Intervention Providers (PDF, November 19, 2021, to February 6, 2023)
- Order Requiring COVID-19 Vaccination and Face Coverings in Child Care and Early Intervention Programs (PDF, November 17, 2021)
- COVID-19 Case Reporting Requirements for Early Intervention Providers (PDF, September 22, 2020)
- The Early Intervention Program’s Return to In-Person Services Action Plan During COVID-19 (PDF, June 22, 2020)
- Early Intervention Program Consent Form for In-Person Services During COVID-19 (PDF, June 22, 2020)
The Early Intervention Program helps young children (birth to 3 years) who are not learning, playing, growing, talking or walking like other children their age. The program works with your family to set meaningful goals for your child and create a service plan to help your child and your family meet those goals.
The earlier in life a child starts our program, the sooner they can learn the skills they need.
The Early Intervention Program is:
- Available to all eligible New York City children, regardless of race, ethnicity, income, disability or immigration status
- Confidential
- Voluntary
- Family-centered
- Provided at no cost to families
- If you have health insurance, including Medicaid, it will be used to pay for Early Intervention services, at no direct cost to you.
Watch: Early Intervention Families Share Why Early Help Matters
Watch: How Early Intervention Services Work
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:
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
More Information