As research has shown, the infant and toddler years are very important relative to a child’s growth and development. The Early Intervention/Child Find Program is a statewide program that provides many different types of early intervention services to identified infants and toddlers with a developmental delay or disability and their families.
Both the Genesee and Orleans County Early Intervention/Child Find Programs are part of the New York State Early Intervention Program, which is part of the National Early Intervention Program for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families. The Early Intervention/Child Find program (EI/CF) is an extension of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) – Part C. This program entitles infants and toddlers who have a developmental delay or disability to receive therapeutic services.
To be eligible for services, children must be under three (3) years of age and have a confirmed disability (such as Down syndrome) or an established developmental delay in one or more areas of development. These areas include: adaptive, cognitive, communication, physical (to include vision, hearing, feeding, swallowing) and social-emotional development.
Therapeutic and support services available to eligible infants and toddlers and their families are:
- Assistive technology devices and services;
- Audiology Family training, counseling, home visits and parent support groups
- Medical services only for diagnostic or evaluation purposes
- Occupational therapy
- Physical therapy
- Psychological services
- Service coordination
- Social work services
- Special instruction
- Speech-language pathology
- Vision services
New York Public Health Law requires provisions that govern the Early Intervention Program such as:
- Local administration of the program by the Early Intervention Official (EIO) who is responsible for ensuring eligible children and families receive the services included in the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) that is developed for the child and family.
- Identification and referral of children at risk or suspected of disability by primary referral sources. Referrals are received from a number of sources and include (but are not limited to): parents, pediatricians, family practice providers, health department staff, childcare centers, and other community agencies.
- Periodic developmental screening and tracking of at-risk children. Provision of service coordination services to eligible children and their families.
- A multidisciplinary evaluation of children referred to the program, at no cost to families, to determine eligibility.
- The development of the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) for eligible children and their families.
- Provision of early intervention services as specified in the IFSP at no cost to families.
Delivery of services in natural settings in the community where peers are typically found to the maximum extent appropriate. Community settings can include:
- The family’s home
- A child care center or family day care home
- Recreational centers
- Play groups
- Playgrounds
- Libraries
- Early childhood programs and centers
Early Intervention/Child Find services are at no cost to eligible infants and toddlers and their families. Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments are able to access private insurance and Medicaid for reimbursement as well as receive funding from the New York State Department of Health.
For referrals to Early Intervention (if you are a resident of Genesee County), please contact:
Genesee County Health Department-Early Intervention Program
3837 West Main St. Rd. Batavia, NY 14020 Phone: (585) 344-2580 ext. 5572 Fax: (585) 344-4713
For referrals to Early Intervention (if you are a resident of Orleans County), please contact:
Orleans County Health Department-Early Intervention Program
14016 Route 31, Suite 101
Albion, NY 14411
Phone: (585) 589-2761 Fax: (585) 589-3169
Resources:
Early Intervention Steps: A Parent’s Guide to the Early Intervention Program
Spanish version of Early Intervention Steps: A Parent’s Guide to the Early Intervention Program
Early Help Makes a Difference brochure: This brochure includes milestones for children from birth to three years old
Helpful Tips to Keep Your Baby Safe: Safety Tips
