Early Help Makes a Difference!
The early years of a child's life are very important. During the infant and toddler years, children grow quickly and have so much to learn. Some children and families face special challenges and need extra help. Early help does make a difference.
The Early Intervention Program is a statewide program that provides many different types of early intervention services to infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families.
Be a Family Information Specialist!
As a parent, you help decide:
- What early intervention services your child and family need
- The outcomes of early intervention that are important for your child and family
- When and where your child and family will get early intervention services
- Who will provide services to your child and family
You are the most important person in your child's life. You know your child best. You understand your child's needs, and what is helpful and what is not. You have the most information about - and responsibility for - your child's growth and development. In a world of professional titles, consider yourself a Family Information Specialist!
If you live in Broome County and have any questions about an infant or toddler, please call the Broome County Early Intervention Program at (607) 778-2851.
What services are available?
The Early Intervention Program offers many types of early intervention services. Early intervention services are services that are:
- Aimed at meeting children's developmental needs and helping parents take care of their children
- Provided anywhere in Broome County
- Included in an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) agreed to by the parent and the Early Intervention Official
Here's a list:
- Assistive technology services and devices
- Audiology
- Family training, counseling, home visits and parent support groups
- Medical services (only for diagnostic or evaluation purposes)
- Nursing services
- Nutrition services
- Occupational therapy
- Physical therapy
- Psychological services
- Service coordination services
- Social work services
- Special instruction
- Speech-language pathology
- Vision services
- Health services needed for your child to benefit from other early intervention services
- Transportation to and from early intervention services
Who is eligible?
Children are eligible for the Early Intervention Program if they are under three years old AND have a disability or developmental delay.
A disability means that a child has a diagnosed physical or mental condition that often leads to problems in development (such as Down Syndrome, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, vision impairment, hearing impairment).
A developmental delay means that a child is behind in at least one area of development, including:
- 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)
Your child does not need to be a U.S. citizen to be eligible for services. And, there is no income "test" for the program. You and your child do have to be residents of Broome County to participate in the Broome County Early Intervention Program.
Join the Early Intervention Council
Mission Statement of the Broome County Local Early Intervention Coordinating Council (LEICC): To provide a forum for all Early Intervention program partners, parents, guardians, providers and Broome County Health Department staff to collaborate in identifying, evaluating, developing and implementing services that allow children to prosper, grow, and fully participate in society. This interaction allows for recommendations that will maintain program quality, enhance services, and ease transition to other programs.
Broome County has a local Early Intervention Coordinating Council made up of parents and professionals. The LEICC advises the Early Intervention Official about local early intervention issues - such as gaps in services.
If you have questions or are interested in joining the LEICC, please call us at (607) 778-2851.
Links:
www.health.ny.gov/publications/0532/index.htm - The Early Intervention Program, A Parent's Guide
www.health.ny.gov/community/infants_children/early_intervention/ - NYS Early Intervention Website
www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/index.html - Developmental milestones
