An Overview of the Early Intervention Process:
 What should I Expect?

The process of receiving an Early Intervention (EI) Evaluation for children birth to three years old consists of four steps. They are as follows:

1. Refer your child. 
2. Meet with your initial service coordinator (ISC).
3. Initial evaluation is conducted. 
4. Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) meeting, if your child is found to be eligible for services. The entire Early Intervention process is completed within 45 days from the date of referral. 

In order to refer your child for an evaluation you must register the child with the County in which you live. At that time, a referral intake will be taken of the child’s background information.  The day of registration starts the 45 day Early Intervention process.  Nassau County residents may call the Nassau County Early Intervention Program at (516) 227 – 8661 to make a referral.

After the intake is complete, your child is assigned a personal Initial Service Coordinator (ISC).  Your ISC will contact you within 10 days to schedule an initial home visit at your convenience.  At that time, the ISC will discuss your concerns about your child’s development.

Next, an evaluator will contact you to schedule a day/time to conduct the evaluation, according to the optimal time for you and your child.  Depending on the needs of your child, there may be two or more evaluations conducted.  This evaluation will occur in your child’s natural environment which may be the home, day care setting, or other care givers’ setting.

If your child is found eligible to receive Early Intervention services, an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) meeting will be held with the family, Initial Service Coordinator (ISC), and evaluator representative, in your elected natural environment.  At that time, you will collaborate with the team members to determine the kinds of services your child is eligible for.  Parents have the right to agree or disagree to any of the services discussed at the meeting.

Lilya Popovetsky, MA SpEd, CAS, SDA is the founder of A Multilingual Development Agency, a NYS DOH approved  Early Intervention agency for children from birth to three years old in Nassau County, NY. She obtained a Master’s Degree from Columbia University’s Teacher’s College in Early Childhood Special Education, with a dual certification in General Education.  Lilya went on to complete two educational administration degrees from Hofstra University.