Programs & Services/Early Intervention
Early Intervention
The first three years of life are the most crucial period of growth and development. It is during this time that young children explore and grow, learn to move, communicate, and develop a sense of independence. All children grow and learn at different rates, however, some children may appear to achieve developmental milestones later than anticipated.
Early Intervention services are designed to address the needs of the child and family using a collaborative team approach. Services are provided within the child’s natural environment to promote development in the areas of: cognition, speech/language/feeding, physical, social emotional and adaptive functioning.
What are Early Intervention Services?
Programs that provide Early Intervention Services have been established across New York State to address the needs of infants and toddlers, ages birth to three years who are suspected of having developmental delays. With years of experience as an Early Intervention service provider, The Children’s Center at UCP has provided services to numerous children and families. Our Early Intervention professionals help your child grow, explore, learn to move, communicate, and develop a sense of independence, while sharing with you the tools you need to support and promote your child’s development.
The Children’s Center at UCP is approved by the New York State Department of Health as an Early Intervention Service Provider under contract with Nassau & Suffolk Counties.
Programs that provide Early Intervention Services are regulated and funded by the New York State Department of Health, along with Suffolk and Nassau Counties’ Division of Services for Children with Special Needs.
What Children Need Early Help?
If you feel your child is delayed in achieving developmental milestones, you should speak with your child’s pediatrician about your concerns.
Who Do I Call if My Child is Suspected of Having a Developmental Delay?
The Children’s Center at UCP – Phone: 631-543-2338
Dr. Jeanne Martin ext. 387 or Jennifer Adelson ext. 391
Suffolk County Health Department
Division of Services for Children with Special Needs
Phone: 631-853-3100
Nassau County Health Department
Division of Services for Children with Special Needs
Phone: 516-227-8661
Growing Up Healthy Hotline
Phone: 1-800-522-5006
The Referral Process
Trained professionals, in collaboration with parents, assess a child’s current development. If the evaluation determines that the child is eligible for Early Intervention services, a multidisciplinary team of professionals will work together with the child’s family to tailor an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) that best serves the needs of the child. Service providers, are then contacted, as authorized, to implement the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) to stimulate the child’s growth and development.
The Multidisciplinary Evaluation
Once a referral has been made to the County Department of Health-Division of Services for Children with Special Needs, you will be given information about the Early Intervention Program, and a multidisciplinary evaluation appointment will be made for you and your child. The multidisciplinary evaluation is conducted by an approved Early Intervention evaluation agency, such as The Children’s Center at UCP, under contract with the county. The evaluation team includes two or more qualified personnel from different disciplines with at least one specialist in the area of suspected delay or disability.
The Evaluation Includes
• Core Evaluations
• Supplemental Evaluations
A parent interview about the resources, priorities and concerns related to the child’s development. With consent, a review of pertinent records related to the child’s current health status and medical history. Testing and an evaluation, by qualified professionals, of the child’s level of functioning in each of the five developmental domains:
• Physical development (growth, gross and fine motor abilities)
• Cognitive development (learning and thinking)
• Communication (understanding and using words)
• Social-emotional development (relating to others)
• Adaptive development (self-help skills such as feeding)
With consent, findings from other current examinations, evaluations or assessments may be used to augment the evaluation to determine eligibility.
An assessment of the unique needs of the child in each domain including identification of services appropriate to meet those needs.
An evaluation of the transportation needs of the child, parent’s ability to provide transportation, the child’s needs to transportation and safety issues/concerns about transportation.
Individualized Family Service Plan
If the multidisciplinary evaluation determines that the child meets the criteria for Early Intervention services, the evaluation team, county officials, and the family meets to tailor an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP), and determine the services that best serve the needs of the child. Approved service providers are selected and an ongoing service coordinator is chosen by the family to implement the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP).
What services are provided through the Early Intervention Program?
The Children’s Center at UCP provides a broad spectrum of educational, therapeutic, and support services through its Early Intervention Program. These services are provided at no out of pocket cost to families. Your child’s Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP), their specially planned program, may call for some of the following services:
• Occupational Therapy
• Physical Therapy
• Speech/Language Therapy
• Psychology
• Social Work
• Teacher of the Visually Impaired
• Family Support
• Special Instruction
• Specialized Feeding Program
• Assistive Technology Devices/Services
• Transportation for IFSP eligible children
• A child’s eligibility for Early Intervention Services is determined only by NYS approved Early Intervention Evaluators under contract with the County.
Who are The Children’s Center at UCP Early Intervention Program Professionals?
Special Instruction is provided by New York State dually certified special education teachers. Therapeutic services are provided by specially trained, licensed/certified therapists. In addition, counseling and social work services are provided by licensed/certified psychologists and social workers.
Where are Early Intervention Services Provided?
The Children’s Center at UCP provides Early Intervention services in your home, child care setting, community setting (library), or in our center.
Services for eligible children are provided at no out of pocket cost to families. Family Health Insurance may be accessed for reimbursement of services.
The Children’s Center at UCP is approved by the New York State Department of Health as an Early Intervention Evaluation Site and Provider of Early Intervention Services under contract with Suffolk & Nassau Counties.
Early Intervention programs are regulated and funded by the New York State Department of Health and Suffolk and Nassau Counties’ Division of Services for Children with Special Needs.
The Children’s Center at UCP IFSP Class
• Our IFSP Class will provide Early Intervention services delivered in a group setting to eligible children. This group will provide opportunities for children to practice and generalize skills learned in individual services. Multidisciplinary learning experiences will be provided to address the individual needs of each child. The IFSP class is staffed by certified Early Intervention Special Instructors and Teacher Assistants. Using a team approach, teachers and therapists are responsive to a child’s and family’s individual needs and IFSP outcomes. Children needing speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, or other services approved by their IFSP can receive these all or some at the center.