Accessing Early Intervention Services

What is Early Intervention?

According to the Monroe County Early Intervention (EI) program website, Early Intervention is the voluntary developmental monitoring, evaluation, and services program offered by New York State to families and children ages birth through two years. Early Intervention serves children and their families from birth through 2 years of age “where there is a high risk of delay, a suspected delay in development, or a confirmed diagnosis of developmental disability.” These evaluation and treatment services are provided by the county. If a child is found not eligible, parents can request developmental monitoring.

Who is eligible?

Eligibility for services is determined by New York State Department of Health criteria based on the degree of delay or the child’s diagnosis.

What are the steps in Early Intervention?

  1. Family or physician concern
  2. Referral – children are referred to Early Intervention Official within two days of identification and an Initial Service Coordinator is then assigned to the case
  3. Initial Service Coordinator – Provide information about EI Program, family rights, obtain insurance/relevant information and review the list of evaluations with families.
  4. Evaluation (with parents’ consent) – The evaluation will determine eligibility for services and write a summary report of findings.
  5. The Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) Meeting – EI services are specified and family identifies desired outcomes. A written plan is developed with family and EI official agreeing to plan and identifying an Ongoing Service Coordinator
    • EI Services include: audiology, family counseling/training, speech-language pathology, vision services, health services, occupational therapy, physical therapy, social work services, and many more
  6. Review every 6 months and re-evaluate annually
  7. Transition – plan for transition to other early childhood services or services under Section 4410 of Education Law

Preschool Evaluations

Once a child is three years old, support services are rendered through the school district the child resides in. You can request an evaluation in the areas of communication, cognition (learning, education skills, problem solving, attention), motor, social emotional (behavior, compliance), and self-help/adaptive skills.

Contact your school district for more information:

Monroe County:

Brockport Central- 637-7449 ext 2445

Churchville Chili – 293-1800 ext 2450

Gates-Chili – 247-5050 ext 1220

Greece Central – 966-2432

Hilton Central – 392-1000 ext 6071

Rochester City – 262-8457

Spencerport – 349-5144

Wheatland-Chili – 889-6249

Orleans County:

Albion Central – 589-2057

Byron Bergen – 494-2220 ext 1294

Holley Central – 638-3691 ext 2403

Kendall Central – 659-8906

You will need to sign consent for the assessment obtained from your school district and will be asked to pick a provider to conduct the evaluation at a “child friendly” site.


Evaluation Options:

The following resources and agencies are often used as places to receive resources, but can also assist with secondary evaluations (ie. a second opinion) if needed for an individual case. Each of the providers and agencies below serve many purposes. Please look at their individual websites to see which will work best for you!

Starbridge Inc.

At Starbridge, the staff can provide information about –

  • Federal and state laws and regulations governing the delivery of special education
  • How to navigate school systems and policies
  • Techniques to help you communicate effectively with the professionals delivering the educational services your child needs
  • Resources available to assist you, whether those resources are provided by Starbridge or other agencies
  • Educational services offered by Starbridge that may help

Parents of infants and toddlers with disabilities can access a variety of supports and services, including assistance with diagnosis, through the early intervention program administered by the New York State Department of Health

Parents of preschool children with disabilities have access to a variety of programs and services for their children through the New York State Education Department’s Early Childhood Direction Centers

How Starbridge can help you?

They can provide information about how to get started and what resources are available to support you and your child.

In-Person Business Hours:
Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM

Location:
Wolk Campus of the Al Sigl Community of Agencies

Mail: Starbridge
1650 South Avenue, Suite 200
Rochester, NY 14620

Phone: 585-546-1700

Fax: 585-224-7100

Email: info@starbridgeinc.org

Step-by-Step Pediatric Therapy

At the Step by Step Pediatric Therapy Center they work with children ages 0-18. The first appointment is always a thorough evaluation of the child. The evaluation results will be shared and discussed with the family at the appointment and a plan of care will be created.

 If the child needs to see more than one provider, they do their best to schedule those appointments back to back. If more than one provider is involved with the child, they will coordinate and work together to provide the most comprehensive care.

They have appointments available to meet the needs for after-school/after-work scheduling.

Step by Step is open Monday through Thursday from 8AM to 6PM and Friday from 8AM to 5PM. We have therapy time available until 7PM on certain days.

Address: 1057 East Henrietta Road, Rochester, NY 14623

Phone: 585-427-7610

Fax: 585-427-7410

Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Pediatrics at University of Rochester

In the Division of Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, services are provided in the following programs:

  • Project SEARCHTM, founded in 1994 at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, is a nationally and internationally recognized program for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are interested in training and preparation for competitive employment.
  • Rochester Regional Center for Autism Spectrum Disorder provides information, education, and technical assistance to community professionals, schools/agencies, caregivers, and individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
  • Strong Center for Developmental Disabilities is a member of the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD), a network of interdisciplinary centers advancing policy and practice for and with individuals with developmental and other disabilities, their families, and communities through research, education, and service.

Phone: (585) 275-0355

Mailing Address: Golisano Children’s Hospital
University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
Box 671
601 Elmwood Avenue
Rochester, NY 14642

 

Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Program at Rochester General Hospital

For New Patients

To begin the intake process, please complete the intake form on their website and return it to the office.

The Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Program is a multi-disciplinary practice specializing in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of children and adolescents with developmental and behavioral disorders, including collaboration with families, schools, physicians, and other clinicians.

The program specializes in working with children and families struggling with:

  • Adolescent adjustment disorders
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Attentional difficulties/Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
  • Autism spectrum disorders (including Asperger disorder)
  • Behavioral challenges
  • Developmental disorders
  • Learning difficulties/disabilities
  • School problems
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Tic disorders

Diagnostic Services

  • Neurodevelopmental evaluations/Medical consultations
  • Behavioral evaluations to assess child and family strengths and needs surrounding common pediatric problems including, but not limited to, adjustment difficulties, challenging behaviors, sleep disturbances, and toileting.

Treatment Services

  • Medical
    • Medical follow-up
    • Medication management
  • Counseling
    • Behavioral therapy
    • Cognitive behavioral therapy
    • Collaborative problem solving
    • Family therapy and parent education/training
Phone: (585) 922-4698
Fax: (585) 922-5702

Address: Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Program

Rochester General Hospital
Wilson Building
800 Carter St., Suite 260
Rochester, NY 14621

Featured Image Credit: “US Navy 070721-N-6645H-071 Cryptologic Technician Technical 1st Class Wayne Good greets a child at Alia School for Early Intervention” by U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Adam Herrada – This Image was released by the United States Navy with the ID 070721-N-6645H-071. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:US_Navy_070721-N-6645H-071_Cryptologic_Technician_Technical_1st_Class_Wayne_Good_greets_a_child_at_Alia_School_for_Early_Intervention.jpg#/media/File:US_Navy_070721-N-6645H-071_Cryptologic_Technician_Technical_1st_Class_Wayne_Good_greets_a_child_at_Alia_School_for_Early_Intervention.jpg
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