How to Start
How can I refer my child?
Infants and toddlers who live in New York City Brooklyn, Quince or Staten Island:
- are from birth to three years old, and
- have a diagnosed physical or mental condition that is likely to result in a developmental delay; or
- are suspected of having a developmental delay or disability.
These infants and toddlers will receive an evaluation to find out if they are eligible for the Early Intervention Program. Children must be eligible in order to receive services.
To refer your child, Call 311 and ask for the Early Intervention Program. You can ask for First Step LLC to be assigned to provide ongoing service coordination and evaluation for your child.
For More Information about the referral process or services provided by First Step LLC, call us at (718) 332-0080.
What happens after my child is referred?
A service coordinator will be assigned. She/he will explain how the EIP works and help the family to arrange an evaluation for the child.
If the evaluation shows that a child is eligible for the EIP, a meeting to develop and discuss an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) will be scheduled. At the IFSP meeting, the family works with a team of specialists to develop goals and a strategy to address their child’s developmental needs. After the meeting, early interventionists (NYS Licensed, Certified or Registered teachers and therapists) will regularly work with the family to help their child develop. The service coordinator will periodically contact the family to ensure that the EIP is working for them. At any time, the family will be able to contact our agency with any questions related to the program and to wellbeing of their child
Who will pay for services?
- Health Insurance (if available), including private insurance and Medicaid, may be used to pay for early intervention services.
- All EIP Services will be provided at no cost to the families and will not affect their insurance coverage
When early intervention services are delivered in child care settings or community locations that require a fee, the parent is responsible for paying any associated costs with such access to child care or community locations.
“Early Intervention Process ” Step by Step
Referral
- Referral source or parent suspects child of having developmental delay or disability
- Family informed of benefits of Early Intervention Program (EIP)
- Child referred to Early Intervention Official (EIO) within two days of identification
- EIO assigns Initial Service Coordinator
- You can ask for First Step LLC to be assigned
Initial Service Coordinator
- Provides information about EIP
- Informs family of rights
- Reviews list of evaluators
- Obtains insurance/Medicaid information
- Obtains other relevant information
Evaluation
- Determine eligibility
- Family assessment (optional)
- Gather information for Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)
- Summary and report submitted prior to IFSP
The IFSP Meeting
- Family identifies desired outcomes
- Early Intervention services specified
- Develop written plan
- Family and EIO agree to IFSP
- Identify Ongoing Service Coordinator (OSC)
- EIO obtains social security number(s)
Early Intervention Services
Audiology; Family training, counseling, home visits; Medical services only for diagnostic or evaluation purposes; Nutrition services; Occupational therapy; Physical therapy; Psychological services; Service coordination; Social work services; Special instruction; Speech-language pathology; Vision services
IFSP Review Six Months, Evaluate Annually
- Decision is made to continue, add, modify or delete outcomes, strategies and/or services
- If parent requests, may review sooner (If parent rquests an increase in services, EIO may ask for supplemental evaluation
Our specialists will fully document results of the evaluation and share them with the parents. We will provide all necessary assistants to the parents in understanding these results. If the child is found eligible for the Early Intervention Program, our team along with NY Department of Health representative will develop an individualized plan to deliver intervention services to your child.
Take the First Step and let’s begin the progress!
Since 2009, our agency has been successfully helping New York families to achieve full developmental potentials of their children.
We are happy to answer all your questions and guide you through every step.