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Early Intervention

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:

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

More Information