EARLY MATTERS
BIRTH TO 5 YEARS OLD
FCDSN helps families construct the building blocks necessary at every step of development for a fulfilling life for their child. These blocks contain emotional support, information, education and connection opportunities. They are designed to assist new and expectant parents as they begin their journey of caring for their baby in each of these areas. More often than not, parents are looking for support with issues related to gross motor skill development, transition into kindergarten, communication skill development and social connections. We offer a variety of information and support to families with children ages birth to five years old.
Monroe County Early Intervention
Early Intervention (EI) is a voluntary developmental evaluation and services program offered by New York State and administered locally by the Monroe County Department of Public Health. The County EIP is subject to NYS regulations (see State for more information). EI serves children and their families where there is a high risk of delay, a suspected delay in development, or a confirmed diagnosis of developmental disability. Evaluations are conducted to determine eligibility. A variety of therapeutic and support services are offered to eligible infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families. If a child is found not eligible, parents can request developmental monitoring.
For more information call 585 753 5437
Major provisions of the program include:
Identification and referral of children at risk or suspected of disability by primary referral sources
Periodic developmental screening and tracking of at risk children
Service coordination for eligible children and families
A multidisciplinary evaluation provided at no cost to parents to determine eligibility
Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSPs) for eligible children and families
Provision of early intervention services in the IFSP at no cost to parents
Delivery of services in natural settings in the community where children of the same age are typically found, to the maximum extent appropriate
The steps in the Early Intervention Process are:
Referral
Visit by the Initial Service Coordinator
A multidisciplinary evaluation to look at the child’s functioning in five areas of development, including the area(s) of concern to determine eligibility
The IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan) meeting to develop a service plan
Early Intervention services if the child is eligible
Review after six months/evaluate annually
Transition to Preschool Special Education (3–5) or to other early childhood services
Vision
All children birth through 5 will be supported and included within our community and will grow and develop to their highest potential. In addition, those children birth through 5 with suspected or confirmed developmental delays/disabilities and their families will be supported and included within our community.
Mission
The Mission of the Early Intervention and Preschool Special Education Programs is to:
identify and evaluate as early as possible those infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers whose healthy development is compromised
provide appropriate intervention based on family driven outcomes to improve child and family development
provide cost effective interventions
encourage solid parent-professional partnerships
RESOURCES
FCDSN New & Expectant Parents webpage
Prenatal Diagnosis
Information for Prenatally-Diagnosed Families
Global Down Syndrome Prenatal Testing and Information about Down Syndrome
Expectant Parents
Active discussion board with Moms of babies with Down syndrome
Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network