The earlier children with developmental delays or disabilities receive services, the faster we can identify their individual needs and create a targeted plan to ensure they stay aligned with their
peers and on track for academic success. The New York City Early Intervention (EI) Program provides developmental services to nearly 30,000 children from birth to three-years-old each year,
at no direct cost to families. Yet not all communities access EI services at the same rate, due in part to the stigma attached to developmental delays and disabilities. To close this gap, we will conduct outreach and education to strengthen relationships with community partners and engage populations that use EI services at a lower rate, with the goal of enrolling a total of 1,500
additional children from zip codes with referral rates lower than the city average.
• INCREASE COMMUNITY AWARENESS OF EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT AND THE EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM TO DIMINISH STIGMA
The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) will engage 5,000 community members per year to introduce the EI Program to parents, with the goal of overcoming the stigma associated with developmental delays and disabilities.
DOHMH will provide information and training in small community venues, and participate in place-based problemsolving and other neighborhood initiatives related to early
childhood development.
• INCREASE REFERRALS FROM PEDIATRICIANS
DOHMH will engage the pediatric community to increase awareness of conditions that make children eligible for EI services, how children can enter EI, and the role pediatricians play while children are in these programs. We will distribute 700 clinician tool kits and partner with pediatric residency programs and practices serving children in neighborhoods with low rates of referral to the EI Program.
• INCREASE REFERRALS FROM CHILDCARE PROVIDERS
DOHMH will distribute 1,000 childcare tool kits and conduct outreach to childcare centers in neighborhoods with low rates of referral to the EI Program. The tool kits and outreach will focus on understanding both typical and atypical child development, communication with families regarding
developmental concerns, and referral to the program. DOHMH will also distribute a video showing how childcare providers can observe and document children’s development, discuss their concerns with parents, and make referrals.
