Upstate Cerebral Palsy offers Early Intervention Services for infants and young children who have exhibited a delay in one or more areas of development. Our professional team includes: Service Coordinator, Special Education Teachers, Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Speech/Language Pathologist and pertinent medical personnel who work with parents in developing a program to meet their child’s needs. This team conducts Comprehensive Developmental Evaluations and provides ongoing Early Intervention service coordination and treatment. Both home based and center based services are available to families.
The Early Intervention Program (EIP) is a public program for infants and toddlers under the age of three who have special needs. Children with diagnosed conditions that lead to developmental delays (such as Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Autism etc.) are eligible for these services.
Children with no diagnosis but who demonstrate significant delays in development may also be eligible.
Parents help select desired services depending on the child’s needs. Services are provided in the home or in the community setting such as child care or various Upstate Cerebral Palsy Centers.
Referrals:
This program is a statewide program administered through your local county. It is the county Department of Health Office that should be contacted if you have concerns about your child’s development. [See phone numbers listed on the back of this brochure.] If you would like, someone can help you make the referral to the Early Intervention Program. If your child is found to be eligible for services after an evaluation performed by a licensed practitioner, you will work with a representative from the county and other team members to generate a plan to help your child and your family.
You must contact the Department of Health to request an evaluation if your child does not seem to be developing at the same pace as other children or is displaying the following characteristics or behaviors:
• difficulty sucking or swallowing
• too much or too little activity
• health problems
• doesn’t like to be touched
• vision or hearing problems
• difficulty picking up objects
• is not talking
• feels stiff or floppy to touch
• talks differently than other children
• is not rolling, sitting, walking or moving like other children the same age
However, if there are other behaviors or areas of concern, parents should feel free to contact their local Department of Health Office.
Services:
Upstate Cerebral Palsy is an approved provider of Early Intervention Programs and Services and is under contract with your county to provide those services. Our services are provided in the best interest of your child, whether it is in your home, at a day care or in other community settings. The Early Intervention Program covers the cost of the interventions but does not pay for day care or other fees charged by community settings outside of Upstate Cerebral Palsy.
Parents Support Groups are also available and are designed to offer services and training to parents to aid them in promoting the growth and development of their child.
Cost:
Early Intervention Services outlined in your Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) must be authorized by the county. Once authorized, the services are provided at no cost to you. The county will arrange for services to be provided and your Service Coordinator (who oversees the services and works in partnership with your family, providing periodic reviews of your child’s program) will choose the provider based on the needs of your child and family. Your child’s health insurance may be used to cover some of the costs. Your county and New York State will cover all other costs for Early Intervention services.
Locations:
Eiddon and Alice Jones Armory Campus
Carbone Children’s Center
1601 Armory Drive
Utica, NY 13501
Corasanti Children’s Center
326 Catherine Street
Utica, NY 13501
Rome Location
130 Brookley Road
Rome, NY 13440
For more information please call:
(315) 797-4040 ext. 250
Email: heather.arcuri@upstatecp.org
County Health Department Contact Information Referrals:
Oneida County: 798-5249
Herkimer County: 867-1430
Madison County: 366-2361
Lewis County: 376-5401