Alternatives For Children – Laura Hauck
Phone: 631-331-6400 ext 376

• Contact Laura Hauck, our Early Intervention Program Coordinator, she will help coordinate your evaluation and services. 
• Or complete the form below, and mention Laura Hauck and Early Intervention. 

The Referral Process: 

• Speak with your pediatrician about your concerns.
• Make a referral to the County Department of Health – Division of Services for Children with Special Needs.
  • Parents can refer directly.
  • Alternatives For Children can refer on your behalf (with consent).
• Receive information and schedule a multidisciplinary evaluation.​​​

AFC offers evaluations.

The multidisciplinary evaluation is completely free once your child is referred. There’s no cost, no obligation, and no risk. If your child qualifies, you’ll receive a personalized plan and access to services that support their development.

Multidisciplinary Evaluation Includes:

• Parent interview about priorities and concerns
• Review of medical records (with consent)
• Testing in five developmental domains:
  • Physical (growth, motor skills)
  • Cognitive (learning and thinking)
  • Communication (understanding and using words)
  • Social-emotional (relating to others)
  • Adaptive (self-help skills like feeding)
• Assessment of needs and transportation considerations

The Parent Interview

As part of the multidisciplinary evaluation, the parent interview, families are asked to describe their priorities, resources and concerns regarding their child’s development. The parent interview will also include a description of the pregnancy, delivery and medical history of the child. Some of the questions that might be asked include:

1. What are your concerns about your child’s development?
2. How does your child’s development compare to that of your other children at their age, or children who you know?
3. How does your child play?
4. How does your child indicate his needs and wants? Happiness? Upset?
5. How do you spend time with your child?
6. Does your child feed well?
7. How does your child show affection?
8. Who spends the most time with your child and what kinds of activities do they do together?
9. How does your child react to new situations and people?
10. How do you provide opportunities for your child to learn and an environment in which to explore?

If your child qualifies for Early Intervention, we’ll work together to create an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP).

Details:

• Developed by the evaluation team, county officials, and your family
• Tailored to your child’s unique needs
• Includes goals, services, and timelines
• You choose an ongoing service coordinator to support you
• Approved providers deliver services at times and locations convenient for your family

Our certified professionals work together to support your child’s growth and development.

AFC’s Team Includes:

• Special Instruction: NY State dually certified early childhood special education teachers
• Therapeutic Services: Licensed/certified therapists (speech, occupational, physical)
• Counseling & Social Work: Licensed/certified psychologists and social workers

We provide services where it works best for your family.

Details:

• Locations: Home, childcare setting, community setting (library), or one of our four centers
• Cost:
  • No out-of-pocket cost for eligible services
  • Family health insurance may be accessed for reimbursement
  • Families pay any fees for childcare/community locations if required

Alternatives For Children is approved by the New York State Department of Health as an Early Intervention Service Provider under contract with Nassau & Suffolk Counties.

Programs that provide Early Intervention Services are regulated and funded by the New York State Department of Health, along with Suffolk and Nassau Counties’ Division of Services for Children with Special Needs.

• Suffolk County Health Department
  Division of Services for Children with Special Needs
  Phone: 631-853-3100
  Call for county-level Early Intervention referrals and information.

• Nassau County Health Department
  Division of Services for Children with Special Needs
  Phone: 516-227-8661
  Call for county-level Early Intervention referrals and information.

• Growing Up Healthy Hotline
  Phone: 1-800-522-5006
  Statewide resource for child health and development questions.