Welcome to the NYC Early Intervention Program

The New York State Early Intervention Program (EIP) is a public program for children under three who are either suspected of having or at risk for developmental delays or disabilities. Potentially eligible children must be referred to their county's municipality program to receive EIP services. For information on making a referral, you can call the Growing Up Healthy Hotline telephone number (1-800-522-5006) or CALL 311. New York State and county governments fund EIP. All EIP services are provided at no cost to parents. Health insurance may be used for approved services. When Early Intervention services are delivered in childcare settings or community locations that require a fee, the parent is responsible for any associated costs with such access to childcare or community locations. A child's eligibility for the program can be determined only by state-approved evaluators under contract, and all services must be authorized by the county. The municipality will arrange for service providers based on the individualized needs of the child and family to deliver services through EIP authorized by the municipality. Young Minds Early Enrichment is an approved agency of NYS's EIP and under contract with NYC, to deliver EIP services.

CHILD DEVELOPMENT CHECKLIST

Young children learn and develop differently. For example, one baby might walk earlier than another, while another might talk first. Often these differences will even out. Look at the checklist below for signs that your infant or toddler may need extra help. If you have concerns about your baby's development, the earlier you get help, the better. Early help does make a difference! You can expect your child to do this from birth to age three. If you have concerns about your baby's development, call your local Early Intervention Program.

AT THREE MONTHS OF AGE, MOST BABIES:

 1. Turn their head toward bright colors and lights

2. No longer "cross their eyes" while trying to focus. They move both their eyes in the same direction at one time.

3. Recognize bottle or breast

4. Respond to their mother's voice

5. Make cooing sounds

6. Bring their hands together

7. Wiggle and kick with arms and legs

8. Lift their head while lying on their stomach

9. Become quiet in response to sound, especially to speech

10. Smile

AT SIX MONTHS OF AGE, MOST BABIES:

1. Follow moving objects with their eyes

2. Turn toward the source of normal sound

3. Reach for objects and pick them up

4. Switch toys from one hand to the other

5. Play with their toes

6. Help hold the bottle during feeding

7. Recognize familiar faces

8. Imitate speech sounds

9. Respond to soft sounds, especially talking

10. Rollover

AT 12 MONTHS OF AGE, MOST BABIES:

1. Get to a sitting position

2. Pull to a standing position

3. Stand briefly without support

4. Crawl

5. Imitate adults using a cup or telephone

6. Play peek-a-boo and patty cake

7. Wave bye-bye

8. Put objects in a container

9. Say at least one word

10. Make "ma-ma" or "da-da" sounds

AT 18 MONTHS OF AGE, MOST CHILDREN:

1. Like to push and pull objects

2. Say at least six words

3. Follow simple directions ("Bring the ball")

4. Pull off their shoes, socks, and mittens

5. Can point to a picture that you name in a book

6. Feed Themselves

7. Make marks on paper with crayons

8. Walk without help

9. Walk backward

10. Point, make sounds, or try to use words to ask for things

11. Say "no," shake their head or push away things they don't want

AT TWO YEARS OF AGE, MOST CHILDREN:

1. Use two- to-three-word sentences

2. Say about 50 words

3. Recognize familiar pictures

4. Kick a ball forward

5. Feed themselves with a spoon

6. Demand a lot of your attention

7. Turn two or three pages together

8. Like to imitate their parent

9. Identify hair, eyes, ears, and nose by pointing

10. Build a tower of four blocks

11. Show affection

AT THREE YEARS OF AGE, MOST CHILDREN:

1. Throw a ball overhand

2. Ride a tricycle

3. Put on their shoes

4. Open the door

5. Turn one page at a time

6. Play with other children for a few minutes

7. Repeat familiar rhymes

8. Use three- to five-word sentences

9. Name at least one color correctly

Get Started by Making a Referral

Suppose you have a concern about a child's development. In that case, the Early Intervention Program can help by providing a free evaluation to determine if the child is eligible for our services.

Our program may be right for your family or a family you know if a child:

· Is not learning, playing, growing, walking, or talking like other children their age

· Has a diagnosed condition that is likely to result in a delay in development

Families, doctors, and community members can make a referral by:

· Calling 311 and asking for Early Intervention.

· Completing the Early Intervention Program Referral Form

✎ EditSign

(Fillable PDF) and fax it to a regional office in the family's home borough.

Information about Early Intervention referrals for child care, health care, and other providers is located on the 

Early Intervention: Information for Providers page.

New York State Department of Health

Bureau of Early Intervention Corning Tower, Room 287 Empire State Plaza Albany, NY 12237-0660 Phone: (518) 473-7016 E-mail: bei@health.state.ny.us