Early Intervention and Preschool Services
The Early Intervention and Preschool Services Programs provide developmental and educational services to eligible infants, toddlers and preschool children up to the age of 5 years.
Columbia CountyDepartment of Health
Early Intervention
The purpose of the Early Intervention Program is to assist families in achieving positive outcomes for babies and toddlers with developmental delays.
- Serves children ages zero to three.
- Services and evaluations are provided at no direct cost to families.
- Families participate in a Multi-Disciplinary Evaluation to determine eligibility. Children will be evaluated in five core areas: cognition, communication, social-emotional, physical, and adaptive skills.
- Children with certain diagnosis are automatically eligible.
- A Service Coordinator assists the family throughout the process.
- Services available in Columbia County include speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and special education.
- Services are provided in the natural environment (ie: home or daycare).
Preschool Special Education
The purpose of the Preschool Special Education Program is to provide educational services to children aged three to five that demonstrate a developmental delay.
- Services and evaluations are provided free of cost to qualified preschoolers.
- Services and evaluations may be conducted in the home or daycare setting.
- Preschoolers are referred to the Committee on Preschool Special Education of the school district of residence for an educational evaluation to determine eligibility for services.
- Once the evaluation is completed, the Committee on Preschool Education will meet to determine eligibility and level of services.
If you have any concerns regarding your child’s development please contact the appropriate school district or call our office, we will be happy to assist you with any questions.
New York State Resources for Children with Special Needs
Information about Child Development
Download the Columbia County Health Department mobile app: https://apps.myocv.com/share/