Do you want to work in Early Intervention?

First things first. In New York, you will need an approval letter from the Department of Health to provide Early Intervention services. Download the application form here. Once approved, you may contract with the different early intervention agencies to do evaluations or service provision.

It is stated in the application that you must have a minimum of two years experience providing services to infants and toddlers with, or at risk of, developmental delay or disability. You are also to indicate your attendance in educational programs (e.g. continuing education courses, in-service trainings) that focus on early intervention for infants, toddlers and their families during the previous three years. Try to be as detailed as possible in discussing your pediatric experience to provide the reviewer as much information regarding your qualifications. You may use additional sheets as necessary to specifically outline your job description (especially the part pertaining to your work with the 0-3 population) or enclose a resume with sufficient informational data (e.g. age range of children you have worked with, types of diagnoses handled, treatment approaches used, etc.).

Occupational therapy assistants (certified or not) may or may not have a DOH approval letter and still work for EI agencies and provide services. This is possible because COTAs/OTAs need to be employed by the agency; they also require supervision.

For other FAQs, you may check out the NYS Department of Health website.

DOH Re-approval process

Attention all Early Intervention providers:

The New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Early Intervention is in the process of updating its approved provider database. Early this year, it has started mailing out letters with an enclosed postcard for you to verify your continued interest to remain an approved EI individual provider. I got mine yesterday. I noticed that I got assigned an EI ID # as well. It is important to address this correspondence in a timely manner to ensure that your information in the DOH database remains current. It has been affirmed that a new re-approval process is imminent.

If you have changed address and have not notified the Department of Health, chances are you may miss receiving this letter.

If you have any questions, the contact person designated by EI for this purpose is:
Diana Plunkett
518-473-7016, press 1, then 4

Open Houses

The agency that I work for, Personal Touch Early Intervention Program, will have a series of Open Houses and training session on Effective Early Intervention Documentation. There is no cost to attend the training, which will arm clinicians with knowledge of mandates, proactive strategies, and appropriate ways to complete progress reports, session notes, and evaluations. In addition, gift certificates will also be given to therapists who bring other therapists. On-site interview will be done by the Human Resources department -- if you are interested to apply, bring your resume.

Open House kicks off in Queens (71-02 Park Avenue, Fresh Meadows, NY 11365), on May 7, 2008 5pm to 9pm.

May 14, 2008 5pm to 9pm
Bronx Office
2100 Bartow Avenue Ste 307
Bronx, NY 10475
RSVP to Jacqueline @ 718-994-9278 ext 223

May 21, 2008 5pm to 9pm
Brooklyn Office
2701 Emmons Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11235
RSVP to Gaudy @ 718-368-6291 ext 377