Second in a Series
Are you worried about your child’s development? Maybe you’re concerned about your child’s verbal progress, motor skills or another developmental challenge.
Available Resources
Early intervention can be important to assess whether your child has a developmental delay or disability, or is at risk for either. It can be daunting, though, trying to figure out where to access services for your little one.
The questions might seem endless: What cost is associated with seeing a specialist? Where are they located? What options are available?
According to the Center for Parent Information and Resources, no matter which state you are located in, you are able to contact your community or state’s early intervention program to have your child evaluated.
Free of Charge
The evaluations are free of charge for children ages 3 and younger under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. After the evaluation, if needed, you would be able to access early intervention programs for your child.
If you are interested in accessing your state’s early intervention program, there are a few ways to navigate setting up your child’s evaluation. If your child has a check-up scheduled, you can ask your pediatrician to send in a referral to your area’s program.
Another option is the Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center. On the center’s website, you can select your state and to locate information on where and how to access early intervention services in your area. For example, selecting New York provides information about the Bureau of Early Intervention in the State Department of Health.
Each state has a program, and all the states’ programs are funded by the federal government and are available to you no matter where you are located.
Learning About Services
If the initial evaluation indicates your child qualifies for early intervention services, you would also be able to access developmental testing, ongoing assessments, family assessments and help to develop your Individualized Family Service Plan, as well as transition services for when your little one is ready to move to preschool.
Outside of those services, you may be expected to provide payment for other early intervention services on a sliding scale, depending on your income, according to understood.org. If you have private health insurance, Medicaid or Indian Health Services, some services may be covered. However, you must provide consent before any employee of the early intervention program can access your health insurance information for payment.
Certain health services that all children need to access, such as immunizations, well- baby check ups, hospitalizations and prescriptions, are not covered through free early intervention programs. If you have questions about what is provided at no cost, make sure to ask when you contact your state’s early intervention coordinator.
Working through concerns that your child might need early intervention services can feel overwhelming, but your child might benefit from receiving services earlier. We hope these resources and information can make it just a little bit easier.
Sophie Hamel is a freelance writer and works in advocacy for victims of interpersonal violence. Her son is two-and-a-half years old.
Luminous removes the hassle of arranging for tuition vouchers and helps make childcare affordable. Vouchers can help ease your financial stress. Learn more about qualifying for HRA and ACS vouchers at our Bronx and Brooklyn centers. Payment can also be made by SEIU/1199 Child Care, check, credit card, and through the Luminous reimbursement program. Contact Luminous Early Childhood Learning Center at [email protected] or call us at 929.228.1180.