The New York City Health Department Early Intervention Program has launched a new Early Intervention Referral Portal. The online portal replaces the old Early Intervention referral form and is intended to allow anyone — including parents, child care providers, health care providers, and community-based organizations — to more easily refer children to the Early Intervention program.
The new portal allows anyone to securely submit a referral online from a computer, smartphone, or table. Entering a referral takes approximately 10 minutes. Referrers should be prepared to enter basic information about the child, the reason for the referral, and the family’s contact information.
The Staten Island Alliance for North Shore Children and Families, which is supported by the Institute, played a key role in the development of the new portal. As part of an Early Intervention equity project in collaboration with other organizations across the city, the Alliance collects information from families as they progress through the Early Intervention referral process.
“The intent is to streamline best practices for families and increase access to Early Intervention,” said Vanessa Vargas, the Alliance’s collective impact manager.
Diana Jaquez, the Alliance’s Early Intervention ambassador, provided feedback on the portal during its creation and has been supporting families and community members as they begin to use the new system.
“It’s very parent-friendly, which is what I really appreciate,” said Vargas. “It’s easier for a family to get on the website and make a referral right then and there. This will help families get connected to services.”
