Early Intervention ends at age 3
Early Intervention (EI) serves children from birth to age 3. EI services are scheduled to end on your child's third birthday. If your child still needs help after that, the next step is preschool special education, which the Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) arranges.
When to start
Planning for the move can start with your child's first Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). NYC Public Schools says your service coordinator should begin to support you with the transition at least six months before your child turns 3.
Your service coordinator offers a transition conference, a meeting with the CPSE. New York State says it should take place at least 90 days before your child is first eligible for CPSE services. You decide whether to have it.
How to refer your child to the CPSE
- You refer your child with a written letter to the CPSE in the district where you live. Your service coordinator can help you write it.
- NYC Public Schools' 2020 transition guide says to send the letter as early as 120 days before your child first becomes eligible, and no later than 90 days before your child's third birthday.
- Unless you opt out, your service coordinator may also notify the CPSE that your child may be eligible.
- If your child is 2 years and 11 months or older and not yet in EI, call 311 and ask for the Committee on Preschool Special Education.
When preschool services can start
- If your child turns 3 between January 1 and June 30, they can first be eligible for CPSE services on January 2 of that year.
- If your child turns 3 between July 1 and December 31, they can first be eligible on July 1 of that year.
- The CPSE must decide on eligibility and services within 60 calendar days of your written consent to evaluate. Services do not begin without your written consent.
Can EI continue past age 3?
Sometimes. If the CPSE finds your child eligible before their third birthday, you can choose to end EI or extend it. NYC Public Schools' guide gives these last dates for extended EI:
- Child turns 3 between January 1 and August 31: EI can continue to August 31 of that year.
- Child turns 3 between September 1 and December 31: EI can continue to December 31 of that year.
- If you do not refer your child to the CPSE, or the CPSE does not find your child eligible, EI ends on the day before your child's third birthday.
We can help
Your service coordinator guides you through each step. If you have questions about your child's move to preschool, call us.
Sources
- NYC Public Schools: Moving to preschool (opens in a new tab)
- NYC Public Schools: Guide to the Early Intervention to Preschool Transition (2020) (opens in a new tab)
- New York State Department of Health: Transition (opens in a new tab)
- NYC Health: Early Intervention (opens in a new tab)
This guide is general information, not medical advice. Talk with your child's doctor about your child.