Children's Services

Early Intervention Services

What Are Early Intervention Services?

Early Intervention Services are used to identifiy developmental delays in children birth - 3 years of age and to help parents access appropriate resources to ensure their child's development.  Warren County Public Health's Early Intervention Program has trained staff who can help evaluate your child's development and determine if your child is eligible for services.  Once a child meets the program's eligibility requirements Early Intervention staff works with your family to make a family-centered plan to support development.

What Early Intervention Services Are Available?

Early intervention services are designed to provide your child support to grow and develop.  Services incude: evaluaion services(such as hearing and vision), home visits, speech, physical and other therapies; child development groups, family counseling; and sometimes, even help with transporation.  Services are provided at no out-of-pocket cost to you.

Who Do I Contact?

Please call Warren County Public Health at 518-761-6580 and ask to be directed to one of our Early Intervention Staff.

Early Intervention Services Brochure

Preschool Special Education Services

Warren County Public Health maintains the responsibilities for the organization, coordination, and payment of Preschool Special Education and transportation services for preschool children with identified disabilities throughout Warren County.

Warren County Public Health works with twelve CPSE (Committee on Preschool Special Education) chairpersons, in local school districts with children living in Warren County. School Districts are responsible for coordinating services with providers, parents, and the State Education Department.

Referred preschool-aged children receive initial evaluations in the areas of concern. Their school's CPSE Chairperson holds an Initial Eligibility Meeting to determine eligibility and appropriate services. Children who are eligible receive an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) Referrals are made directly to the School District's CPSE department.

Click here for a list of local CPSE departments

Children may be recommended for individual or group services such as speech, physical, occupational therapies, or other approved services. Some children may be recommended for center-based programs at approved preschools. Transportation or reimbursement is eligible for center-based programs.

Warren County initially pays for 100% of the services, then NY State Education Department reimburses 59.5% of costs to the county, leaving the county's share as 40.5% of the expenses. Providers contract directly with Warren County for payment. Warren County processes all providers' vouchers for services and prepares claims for reimbursement from State Education.

Child Find

What is Child Find?

A New York State Department of Health program that identifies infants / children (ages 0-3 years old ) that may need assistance with growth and development.  It helps ensure your babies development stays on track in collaboration between

• You and your baby
• Child Find trained Staff from Warren County Public Health
• Your baby's health care provider
• New York State DOHC

Child Find staff use developmental screening tests to see if your child has delays in:

• Physical development
• Learning development
• Social development

A parent whose child meets certain developmental delay criteria (as set forth by screening tools) will be offered information and referral services to organizations in the community that specialize in addressing a child's needs.

What does the child find program cost?

There are no out-of-pocket costs for families.  This program is funded by the U.S. Office of Special Education Programs.  Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), all states have to have a comprehensive Child Find System to assure all children who are in need of early intervention or developmental services are located, identified and referred.

Who Should I Contact?

Contact Warren County Public Health at 518-761-6580 to request a developmental screening from Emily LaLone our Child Find Coordinator.

Child Find Program Brochure

Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs

Children and youth with special health care needs are those children 0-21 years of age who have or are expected to have a serious or chronic physical, developmental, behavioral or emotional condition and who also require health and related services of a type or amount beyond that required by children generally. This definition is broader than the definition currently used by the Physically Handicapped Children's' Program (PHCP). 

The children and youth with special healthcare needs program (CYSHCN) is a state wide public health program that provides information and referral services for health and related areas for families of CYSHCN. Warren County's CYSHCN program provides case management services as needed. The CYSHCN assists families in paying medical bills for children with severe chronic illnesses and/or disabilities, between birth and 21 years of age, who live in New York State and meet medical and financial eligibility requirements

Children with Special Health Care Needs Brochure

Goals

• First and foremost, our goal is to improve the system of care for children and youth with special health care needs and their families
• We strive to identify "gaps" between essential health care services that are needed for the child / youth but not being covered by insurance. 
• We also try to bring forth resources to families within our community they may not have known available.

For more information regarding CYSHCN please contact Warren County Public Health, Emily LaLone at (518) 761-6580 or visit the NYS Department's website at https://www.health.ny.gov/community/special_needs/