Early Intervention Partners Training Project
Helping Families Navigate Early Intervention,
Transition & Beyond
Information. Resources. Support.
Whether your goal is to better understand Early Intervention, prepare for transition, become a stronger advocate for your child, or develop leadership skills to support other families and improve the Early Intervention Program, this training is designed to help you feel informed, prepared, and confident every step of the way.
While the training focuses on the New York State Early Intervention Program, the knowledge and practical strategies you'll gain will continue to support your family long after Early Intervention ends. You'll gain advocacy skills and practical tools that empower you to confidently advocate for your child, collaborate as an equal partner with professionals, better understand your rights, make informed decisions, and navigate every stage of your child's educational journey throughout preschool, school-age services, and beyond.
The training also provides an opportunity to connect with professionals and other families, hear different perspectives, share experiences, and leave you empowered with the confidence to make informed decisions for your child and family.
What You'll Gain
By participating in the Early Intervention Partners Training Project, you'll leave with:
- A better understanding of the Early Intervention Program.
- Advocacy skills and practical tools that empower you to confidently advocate for your child, make informed decisions, and navigate every stage of your child's journey—from Early Intervention through preschool, school-age services, and beyond.
- Practical information and resources you can begin using right away.
- Knowledge of services and supports available to your family.
- An understanding of the laws and regulations and how they affect your family.
- A better understanding of your rights and the due process protections available to you.
- Confidence participating in your child's meetings and making informed decisions.
- Information to help prepare for your child's transition out of early intervention.
- Knowledge of where to turn when questions arise throughout your child's journey.
- Knowledge of leadership opportunities and ways to become involved in improving services for children and families across New York State.
- Connections with professionals and other parents who share similar experiences and can offer encouragement, perspective, and support.
What You'll Learn
Throughout the training, you'll explore topics that will help you support your child and family throughout Early Intervention, transition, and beyond.
Topics include:
- Understanding the New York State Early Intervention Program and how it supports your child and family.
- Understanding your rights and the laws that protect children and families.
- Developing meaningful Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) outcomes and understanding how children learn through everyday routines and natural environments.
- Finding services, supports, and resources available during Early Intervention, preschool, school-age, and beyond.
- Preparing for transition and understanding what comes next.
- Building advocacy, communication, and leadership skills that can be used throughout your child's educational journey.
- Working effectively with your child's team and becoming an informed partner in decision-making.
- Learning about parent leadership opportunities and ways to improve services for children and families across New York State.
- Connecting with professionals and other parents while learning from shared experiences.
In addition to the training, parents have the opportunity to connect with other families participating in the Early Intervention Program and build relationships with others who understand their journey.
FAQ
Who can sign up?
The Early Intervention Partners Training Project is open to New York State parents and caregivers of young children with disabilities.
Eligible participants include:
• Parents or caregivers of infants and toddlers currently receiving Early Intervention services
• Parents or caregivers of children who are transitioning out of the Early Intervention Program
• Parents of children with disabilities under the age of 12 who currently serve on a Local Early Intervention Coordinating Council (LEICC)
Participants must reside in New York State. U.S. citizenship is not required to participate.
How is the training offered?
The New York State Department of Health's Bureau of Early Intervention and the Family Initiative Coordination Services Project at Just Kids sponsor five Early Intervention Partners Trainings each year throughout New York State.
The training includes:
Session I
An interactive webinar that participants attend from their own computer.
Session II
A two-day, in-person training.
To ensure families have access to the program, a limited number of virtual spots may be available as an accommodation for participants who reside outside the training region or have extenuating circumstances that prevent them from attending in person.
Where are trainings held?
The trainings rotate throughout New York State, including:
- Long Island,
- Downstate region (New York City and Westchester),
- Northeast region,
- Western region,
- Central region.
Training dates vary be region. Please see the schedule below for upcoming dates in your area.
How much time does the training require?
Training includes:
- One interactive webinar
- usually on a Saturday from 9:30 am - 12:30 pm.
- One two day, in person training with an optional overnight stay
- Friday evening 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm (optional free overnight stay)
- Saturday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
While the program is a significant time commitment, parents consistently tell us that the knowledge, resources, and empowerment they gain continue to benefit their families long after the training ends. Many also share that one of the highlights of the training is building connections and lasting friendships with other parents who are going through similar experiences and truly understand their family's journey.
How much does it cost?
The training is provided at no cost to participants.
The program includes:
- Training materials
- Meals during the in-person training
- Overnight accommodations for Friday evening ( if requested by registration due date)
Limited funding is available to assist families with child care and travel expenses. Prior approval from the Family Initiative Coordinator is required.
Accommodations provided upon request.
Will accommodations be available?
Yes. We are committed to making the training accessible to all participants.
Accommodations are available upon request, including language interpretation, translation, and other accessibility needs.
Please let us know your needs when signing up so we can make every effort to accommodate you.
How do I sign up?
- Sign up online with the link below.
- You can sign up by:
• Completing the online sign up form
• Calling the Family Initiative Coordination Services Project office at (631) 205-0502
• Emailing [email protected]
If you prefer, you may also print the sign up form and return it by mail to:
Family Initiative Coordination Services Project
Just Kids
P.O. Box 12
Middle Island, NY 11953
Or fax the sign up form to (631) 924-4602.
Upcoming NYS Early Intervention Partners Training 2026 Tentative Date
Central Region
SI - Webinar - Saturday, September 19, 2026
SII - In person - Friday, September 25, 2026 & Saturday, September 26, 2026
Downstate Region ( NYC/Westchester)
SI - Webinar - Saturday October 17, 2026
SII - In person - Friday, November 6, 2026 & Saturday, November 7, 2025
Long Island Region
SI - Webinar - Saturday, February 27, 2027
SII - In person - Friday, March 12, 2027 & Saturday, March 13, 2027
Northeast Region
SI - Webinar - Saturday, March 20, 2027
SII - In person - Friday, April 9, 2027 & Saturday, April 10, 2027
Western Region
SI - Webinar - Saturday, May 1, 2027
SII - In person - Friday, May 14, 2027 & Saturday, May 15, 2027
Central Region
SI - Webinar - Saturday, August 28, 2027
SII - In person - Friday, September 10, 2027 & Saturday, September 11, 2027
The Early Inervention Partners Training Project is sponsored by the New York State Department of Health Bureau of Early Intervention & the Family Initiative Coordination Services Project at Just Kids Early Childhood Learning Center






