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Occupational Therapy Program - EICP-OT

Early Intervention Certificate Program for Occupational Therapists (EICP-OT)

young child holding adults hand

Apply by July 1 for September start.
Applications [pdf format - requires Acrobat Reader]

The SUNY Downstate Occupational Therapy Program has received substantial funding, over a five-year period, from the United States Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, to implement an Early Intervention Certificate Program for Occupational Therapists (EICP-OT). Dr. Margaret Kaplan and Dr. Beth Elenko direct this exciting program. We are in the final year of this certificate program and have admitted our final group of therapists under this grant. We will be applying for new grant funding in order to continue the ability to provide advanced training in Early Intervention and will update this site if funding is received.

The EICP-OT provides licensed occupational therapists with advanced, multi-disciplinary education to prepare them for specialized occupational therapy practice with young children and their families. The New York State Department of Health, Early Intervention Program, recognizes the completion of this advanced level, multi-disciplinary program as fulfillment of criteria for provisional approved provider status in New York State.

Four cohorts of students have completed the EICP-OT during the five-year project. The last cohort has started the certificate program and will finish in August of 2008. Each cohort consists of 15 students who complete five courses and two practicum experiences over one year. Courses and practicum experiences are scheduled to allow students to continue their current professional practice, to the greatest extent possible. Accepted students receive stipends to facilitate their participation in the program.

Occupational therapy practice in Early Intervention requires advanced level knowledge, skills, and supervised clinical fieldwork beyond what entry-level professional programs can offer. This award from the United States Department of Education enables the Occupational Therapy Program at SUNY Downstate to prepare expert clinicians and thus improve access to quality Early Intervention services for children and families.

Stipend and Service Obligation

  • This is a certificate program funded by the U.S. Department of Education to provide advanced training in Early Intervention for Occupational Therapists.
  • Each accepted student receives a substantial stipend of $9,167 that more than covers cost of courses, books, transportation and some work time compensation. The total cost of the courses is $4,200. The remainder of the stipend is to cover books, materials, and expenses incurred to allow the OT to participate in this program.
  • Each student must sign a contract with a "repayment agreement." It states that any student who does not complete the program, drops out or does not fulfill the service obligation must repay all or part of the stipend to the Federal Government.
  • Each student must fulfill a service obligation by maintaining full- time employment for1 year with a 3 year grace period working as an occupational therapist in early intervention following completion of the EICP-OT. If not, the student must repay the stipend to the Federal Government.

The EICP-OT Curriculum

The EICP-OT Curriculum
Fall Semester: Early Intervention: The Big Picture
Where It Begins: Assessment
Intervention Strategies: Direct and Collaborative
Spring Semester: Technology
Team Building and Family Partnerships
Professional Practicum
Summer Semester: Family Practicum


Summary of Courses

Course 1: Early Intervention - The Big Picture

This is an ONLINE, self-paced course to teach the broader perspective of Early Intervention. Students learn the basics of the early intervention process from its historical underpinnings to guidelines for practice in a variety of early intervention settings. This course is provided online with practical assignments and papers, bulletin board discussion groups, and e-mail communication. This is the introductory course to the EICP. Many areas covered will be addressed in more depth in later courses.

Course 2: Assessment

Students learn how to choose, administer and document appropriate assessment tools to determine eligibility for occupational therapy services in early intervention. You will learn how to evaluate, document progress, and share information with families in their natural environments. You will also learn how to evaluate, recommend initial and changes in frequency, duration and discharge of services. Assessment will be taught on-site at Downstate Medical Center (DMC) over 2 days through lecture, dyadic experiences, practical assignments and papers.

Course 3: Intervention Strategies - Direct and Collaborative

Students learn how to provide intervention to infants and young children and their families with sensory processing, neuromuscular and feeding issues. The course will cover diagnostic information, developmental progression, and treatment strategies in natural environments for these problem areas. Intervention will be taught on-site at DMC over 3 days through lecture, dyadic experiences, case- studies, practical assignments and papers.

Course 4: Technology

Students learn how to provide intervention to infants and young children and their families who require medical and assistive technology. Part 1 covers medically fragile children and common technology needs such as tracheotomies, supplemental oxygen, etc and the special issues for families living with this technology. Part 2 covers assistive/adaptive equipment and techology: how to order, what to order, how to know if it is appropriate; how to fabricate; finding vendors and coordinating with the NYC Assistive Technology Department. Technology will be an on-site (DMC) 1 day course. You will learn through lecture, dyadic experiences, case studies, practical assignments and papers.

Course 5: Team Building and Family Partnerships

This course includes a panel of families, and a panel representing a typical Early Intervention team of professionals. This course will give an in-depth understanding of family-centered intervention, natural environments, cultural differences, professional boundaries and communication strategies to work with families and the early intervention team members. A major focus of this course will be on cross-cultural and language competence, and linguistic diversity in urban, and high poverty areas. Students will learn techniques for communication with culturally diverse families. Students will also be taught strategies to further complete Bilingualism in the profession and encouraged to continue learning other languages in areas they serve. Team Building and Family Partnerships will be a 1 day course utilizing lecture, dyadic experiences, panel discussions, case studies, practical assignments and papers.

Course 6: Advanced Professional Practicum

Students participate in 45 hours of on-site clinical experience in an early intervention site and a 2 hour monthly seminar. The clinical portion will be tailored for each students’ supervisory needs and work experience: 1) students who are relatively new to early intervention service provision will spend their hours with an advanced clinician at an early intervention site. 2) students who are currently working in early intervention and have been for at least 5 years will be matched with an advanced clinician who will supervise/mentor them with their current cases.

Course 7: Advanced Family Practicum

Students spend 45 hours with a family who participates in early intervention and attend a 2 hour monthly seminar. The direct time with families will be during daily living activities with assignments to identify and assist families in accessing community resources that are identified as needs by the family.

Please continue to check this website for further details about these courses.