Executive Opening Statement
Community Engagement & Education in the New York State Early Intervention Program
As a professional working within the New York State Early Intervention Program, your role carries significant responsibility and influence. You are often one of the first points of contact for families and community professionals who are concerned about a child’s development. How you explain Early Intervention, the language you use, and the boundaries you maintain directly affect not only a family’s understanding, but also the integrity and compliance of the entire program.
Early Intervention is a public program established under New York State law and administered by municipalities. It is not owned, controlled, or operated by service providers. This distinction is critical. Counties and New York City closely monitor how providers describe their role, particularly when engaging families and community partners. Even well-intentioned statements can create compliance risks if they imply that a provider controls access to services, eligibility decisions, or provider selection.
Your responsibility is to educate, clarify, and support understanding. You help families recognize developmental concerns, understand what Early Intervention is, and know exactly how to take the next appropriate step by contacting their municipality. You also support community professionals by providing accurate, consistent information that aligns with state and county requirements. What you do not do is initiate Early Intervention services, accept referrals, promise evaluations, or influence municipal decision-making.
When performed correctly, Community Engagement & Education strengthens trust across the system. Families feel informed rather than pressured. Professionals feel confident sharing information without concern. Counties see a provider that respects its role and operates with integrity. This training exists to give you the knowledge, language, and confidence to perform your role effectively, ethically, and in a way that protects both the families you serve and the long-term stability of the program.
