
Child Find is the primary referral source to the Early Intervention Program for children ages birth up to age three. Through Child Find, children who are suspected or at risk for developmental delay or disability are monitored and screened. The Child Find-Early Intervention staff works closely with your child's primary care provider to monitor your child's developmental progress. If a potentially qualifying disability or delay is identified, your child will be referred to our Early Intervention Program for evaluation.
Upon entering the Early Intervention Program, your child will be evaluated for developmental delay. If your child qualifies, services for your child can be provided in your home free of charge. Services include further evaluation if needed, vision and hearing, speech, physical, and other therapies; child development groups and family counseling. These services are provided to help your child grow and develop, and to help you care for your child.
The Children with Special Health Care Needs Program provides assistance to families of children with special health care needs birth through age 21 who need help in accessing various health care professionals and other community resources. We will also help you to access appropriate health care coverage such as Child Health Plus, Family Health Plus and Medicaid. Our Family Outreach Worker is a Certified Social Worker who will work one-on-one with you to help you meet your family’s needs.
The Physically Handicapped Children's Program offers financial assistance to families with children birth to 21 years of age, who have or are suspected of having a chronic and/or disabling medical condition. The program is available to Tompkins County residents who meet the medical and financial criteria.
Tompkins County is full of fun things for children to do, and interesting places for children to go with their families. While there’s always more, we hope the contents of this guide provides you with the information and inspiration to explore a variety of family friendly/child centered community settings and activities with your children. The guide includes:
The Community Health Nurse works as a Service Coordinator for the Children with Special Needs Division in the NYS Early Intervention Program servicing families of children birth to age 3 with developmental delays. This job requires excellent communication skills, organizational skills, ability to work with families in the home, network with community resources, and coordinate a team approach with therapists and the family to best meet the needs of the child and problem solve with the team to make changes in the child’s plan.
Other duties include working with the children and families as they leave the EI program to transition to the school district, make referrals to community resources for other basic needs of the family. Assists other Community Health programs at TCHD when needed. Intensive orientation is provided. Apply online at the Tompkins County Job Vacancy page.
The Tompkins County Health Department is looking for qualified therapists, Social Workers- Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs) to provide services in the Early Intervention Program and Preschool Services to children birth to age 4. LCSWs provide therapy to children with behavior issues, provide support and strategies to parents and provide care in a team approach working closely with a Service Coordinator and other therapists. If you are a qualified provider or want more information on working in these programs, please call the Children with Special Care Needs Division at 607-274-6644 during regular business hours. Or click here to send us your name and contact info so we can get in touch with you.
Are you a qualified therapist working with children from birth to age 4 and interested in providing part time or full time services to children in Tompkins County? Please call 607-274-6644. We are looking for OTs, PTs, SLPs, LCSWs and Special Instruction Teachers to provide therapy services for the Early Intervention Program and the Preschool program.