Early Intervention Program
The New York State Early Intervention Program (EIP) is part of the national Early Intervention Program for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families. First created by Congress in 1986 under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the EIP is administered by the New York State Department of Health through the Bureau of Early Intervention. In New York State, the Early Intervention Program is established in Article 25 of the Public Health Law and has been in effect since July 1, 1993.
To be eligible for services, children must be under 3 years of age and have a confirmed disability or established developmental delay, as defined by the State, in one or more of the following areas of development: physical, cognitive, communication, social-emotional, and/or adaptive.
Early Intervention Services
The Early Intervention Program offers a variety of therapeutic and support services to eligible infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families, including:
- assistive technology devices and services
- audiology
- family education and counseling, home visits, and parent support groups
- nursing services
- nutrition services
- occupational therapy
- physical therapy
- psychological services
- service coordination
- social work services
- special instruction
- speech pathology
- vision services
How to Refer a Child to the Early Intervention Program
A municipal Early Intervention Official (EIO) designated by the chief elected official of the municipality/county administers the Early Intervention Program locally. Contact your EIO for information about your local program or to refer a child. For information about the statewide program, contact the NYS Department of Health, Bureau of Early Intervention at (518) 473-7016 or e-mail beipub@health.ny.gov.
Learn More About the Early Intervention Program
- Welcome to the New York State Early Intervention Program Video (youtube.com)
- Upcoming Meeting Dates and Locations
- Early Intervention Program Mission and Goals
- Early Help Makes a Difference!
- Early Intervention Steps: A Parent's Guide to the Early Intervention Program (This booklet describes the Early Intervention Program.) (PDF)
- EI Families Website
- Abbreviations and References
- Municipal/County Contacts for the Early Intervention Program
- Early Intervention Program Publications (PDF)
- Early Intervention (BEI) Publications Reference Guide
How to Become an Approved Early Intervention Service Provider
For more information about becoming an approved New York State Early Intervention Service Provider, go to Information for Service Providers.
The purpose of the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) electronic mailing list is to notify EHDI stakeholders of new developments within the program. Stakeholders include hospital or birthing center staff, pediatricians, audiologists, neonatologists, providers of early intervention services, municipal EIP staff, parents of children with hearing loss and other interested parties. The notices will inform stakeholders about new, updated, or revised information, including program guidance documents, laws and regulations, publications, training announcements, and meeting notices.
