Early Intervention & The Center for Preschool Special Education

Please see below for more information on: 

Note: Specifics on this page refer to New York State, however, these services are available nation-wide. Please see your local department of education for more information.

Early Intervention Services (birth to age 3)

Early Intervention (EI) is:

  • A set of public special education services designed to meet the needs of infants, toddlers and preschoolers.
  • A guarantee that your child with a disability or developmental delay will receive appropriate services from infancy through their entire schooling career.

If you are concerned about your child's development, the Early Intervention Program can provide an evaluation of your child at no cost to you.  The evaluation will assess your child's strengths and needs, and determine if your child is eligible for the Program. 

EI in More Detail

To be eligible for services, children must:

  • Be under 3 years of age
  • Have a confirmed disability or established developmental delay, in one or more of the following areas of development
    • Physical
    • Cognitive
    • Communication
    • Social-Emotional
    • Adaptive

Children who are over 2 years 11 months should be referred to the Committee for Preschool Special Education (CPSE). 

  • Family education and counseling, home visits, and parent support groups
  • Special instruction
  • Speech pathology and audiology
  • Occupational therapy
  • Physical therapy
  • Psychological services
  • Service coordination
  • Nursing services
  • Nutrition services
  • Social work services
  • Vision services
  • Assistive technology devices and services

 

The EI process:

  • Begins with a referral from a parent, doctor, social worker, teacher, or caretaker. 
  • Requires parental permission and informed consent for each step in the evaluation and for the provision of services. 
  • Guarantees you the right to due process under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA). 

Call 311 and say that you want to refer a child to the Early Intervention Program or complete a referral form and fax to the Early Intervention Program regional office in the child's borough of residence: 

  • Bronx (718-410-4504)
  • Brooklyn (718-722-2998)
  • Manhattan (212-436-0902)
  • Queens (718-291-1981)
  • Staten Island (718-568-2341)

 

There is no direct cost to families for Early Intervention.  The program uses a child's insurance (if available) to help pay for services.  This will not affect or reduce a family's insurance benefits. 

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Center for Preschool Special Education (CPSE) (ages 3 - 5)

Preschool Special Education is:

  • The set of public services provided to children between the ages of 3 and 5 years.
  • A continuation of the Early Intervention services, if your child is already receiving them.  In that case, providers from your child's early intervention team would help you transition from EI to CPSE service providers.

CPSE in More Detail

The Center for Preschool Special Education (CPSE):

  • Begins when you, your pediatrician, or day care provider is concerned about your child's development. 
  • Requires a written referral to your school district's Committee on Preschool Special Education.
  • May lead to your child receiving an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) to meet your child's needs. 
  • Requires parental permission and informed consent for each step in the evaluation and for the provision of services.
  • Guarantees you the right to due process under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA). 
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Transitioning to Kindergarten

CPSE services end when your child turns five years of age, or enters Kindergarten. Services for elementary school children in need of special education supports are provided by the Committee on Special Education (SCE) of the NYC Department of Education.

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Additional Resources