The New York State Early Intervention Program (EIP) is a public, family-centered program for infants and toddlers from birth until their third birthday who have a confirmed disability or a developmental delay. Congress created the national program under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). In New York it is administered by the State Department of Health and carried out locally by each municipality.
EIP is voluntary and confidential. Services are designed around the family’s daily life — meals, play, walks, bedtime — not around a clinic waiting room. The goal is not to “fix” a child. The goal is to help the child participate, communicate, move, and learn, and to give caregivers practical strategies they can use between visits.
What Bright Milestones provides
After the municipality authorizes services and a family selects our agency, Bright Milestones currently delivers Special Instruction. Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology, and Applied Behavioral Analysis are in active preparation and are listed as Coming Soon. We do not offer clinical fellow placements or social work as agency services.
The IFSP
If a child is found eligible, the family and the Early Intervention Official develop an Individualized Family Service Plan. That plan names outcomes, service type, frequency, session length, location, and start date. Bright Milestones follows the IFSP. We do not replace the service coordinator, and we do not decide eligibility.
Families may choose their provider agency and may request a change. Our platform keeps you informed: session times, length, instructor name, and notes you are entitled to see — available 24/7 in the parent portal, by chat, text, or email.
NYS DOH Early Intervention Program Early Intervention Steps: A Parent’s Guide EI Families