Children’s Services
Meet Our Children’s Services Staff
For more information on any services please call our staff below
| Josh Schultz | Director of Children’s Services | 585.268.9250 | Joshua.Schultz@alleganyco.gov |
| Penny Chudy | Child Program Coordinator | 585.268.9259 | Penny.Chudy@alleganyco.gov |
| Sherri Abbey | Medical Records Computer Operator | 585.268.9698 | Sheri.Abbey@alleganyco.gov |
| Kelly Vossler | Early Intervention Services Coordinator | 585.268.9627 | Kelly.Vossler@alleganyco.gov |
| Wendy Wenslow | Early Intervention Services Coordinator | 585.268.9678 | Wendy.Wenslow@alleganyco.gov |
Child Find is a partnering effort between Allegany County’s Early Intervention Program and local physicians that establishes a vital link between doctors’ office and available county services. This is a New York State Department of Health sponsored program that helps identify infants and toddlers up to age 3 that are at risk for a developmental delay.
Screenings performed by pediatricians during regularly scheduled well-child visits help to determine those children who may require Early Intervention services in one or more developmental areas.
The goal of Child Find is to:
Ensure that all children, especially very young children, have ongoing health care that includes developmental surveillance by their primary health care providers,
Engage primary healthcare providers in identifying infants and toddlers at-risk for developmental delay and/or disabilities through periodic developmental screening,
Assure that children who are diagnosed by their healthcare provider as having a high probability of developmental delay are referred to our Early Intervention Program.
The Children with Special Health Care Needs Program (CSHCN) program is an informational, referral and advocacy program for children from birth to 21 years of age who have, or are suspected of having a serious or chronic physical, developmental, behavioral, and/or emotional condition, and who require health or related services of a type of amount beyond that typically required of children.
The New York State Early Intervention Program (EIP) is part of the National EIP for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families. The EIP is established in Article 25 of Public Health Law and has been in effect since July 1, 1993.
To be eligible for EIP services, children must be less than 3 years of age and have a confirmed disability or established developmental delay as defined by New York State, in one or more of the following areas of development: physical, cognitive, communication, social-emotional and/or adaptive.
The mission of the EIP is to:
Identify and evaluate, as early as possible, those infants and toddlers whose health development are compromised and provide for appropriate intervention to improve child and family development.
If found eligible through a multidisciplinary evaluation; EIP services can offer a variety of therapeutic and support services to eligible infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families.
What should you do if you feel your child needs special education?
If you have a preschool child and you have noticed that your child is not developing skills such as walking, talking, or playing like other children, you may want to talk to your family doctor. He or she may be able to reassure you that children develop at different rates and your child is within the normal developmental scales. If, however, the doctor is concerned, or you are still not comfortable with your child’s progress, you may wish to make a referral to your school district’s Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE).
What is a referral for special education?
A referral is a written statement asking that the school district evaluate your child to determine if he or she needs special education. For preschool you must also sign a “consent to evaluate.” The consent also needs to be submitted to the school district chairperson. Forms can be obtained from your school district chair person.
You will also be asked to pick an evaluation team to evaluate your preschool child. A social history, psychological evaluation, and medical exam are required evaluations as a part of preschool evaluation process. An evaluation in the domain of suspected will also be necessary. Examples are: speech evaluation to address potential speech needs, an occupational therapy evaluation to address fine motor needs, or a physical therapy evaluation to address gross motor needs.
Click below for a complete listing of the CPSE Chairpersons of Allegany County.
CPSE chairpersons by school district in Allegany County
Each school district in Allegany County has a Preschool Special Education Chairperson. If you feel that your child or are aware of a child who may have developmental delays and want help, contact your local school district. You may also contact Penny Chudy at the Allegany County Health Department for assistance or to answer any questions.
Eligibility as a preschooler student with a disability is based on the results of individual evaluations. All children referred to this program are mandated by New York State Education Department (NYSED) to have three evaluations before service funding is approved. The required evaluations are a physical examination, a psychological evaluation, and a social history. Additional evaluations may be done in the area of concern. (e.g. speech, gross motor, audiological, etc.)
The child for whom services are requested must exhibit a significant delay or diagnosis in at least one functional area related to cognitive, language/communicative, adaptive, social-emotional, or motor development. This delay needs to adversely affect the child’s ability to learn. The Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) uses the NYSED criteria when appropriating services. CPSE will also determine to what extent services will be provided.
CPSE is composed of several members, including a county representative who ensures that all parties involved with service delivery are upholding State Education Regulations. The CPSE Chairperson is a representative of the school district who is qualified to provide, administer, or supervises Special Education. A parent is also a part of CPSE and is present at meetings to advocate for his or her child. A NYS certified teacher is also present and an employee of district where the child is placed.
The Physically Handicapped Children’s Program (PHCP):
- Provides financial assistance and case management for medical care for physically disabling conditions or serious chronic illness
- Covers children from birth to 21st birthday
- There is no financial eligibility requirement for “diagnosis and evaluation” (to determine medical eligibility)
Program Requirements:
- Care must be given by an approved provider (one who accepts Medicaid rates)
- A confidential financial review is required to determine financial eligibility for treatment
- Children who have Medicaid are not eligible
- Children who meet medical requirements are automatically eligible for the program
- Children that have insurance must use their primary insurance first and PHCP may be able to pay the balance
Services through the Physically Handicapped Children’s Program include:
- Diagnosis and evaluation, if needed
- Financial assistance for medical services related to the child’s medical condition
- Case management to assess the needs of the entire family and make referrals to other agencies as needed. This service is provided at no cost to the family and is available regardless of the financial eligibility of the family.
Each school district in Allegany County has a Preschool Special Education Chairperson. If you feel that your child or are aware of a child who may have developmental delays and want help, contact your local school district. You may also contact Penny Chudy at the Allegany County Health Department for assistance or to answer any questions.
Eligibility as a preschooler student with a disability is based on the results of individual evaluations. All children referred to this program are mandated by New York State Education Department (NYSED) to have three evaluations before service funding is approved. The required evaluations are a physical examination, a psychological evaluation, and a social history. Additional evaluations may be done in the area of concern. (e.g. speech, gross motor, audiological, etc.)
The child for whom services are requested must exhibit a significant delay or diagnosis in at least one functional area related to cognitive, language/communicative, adaptive, social-emotional, or motor development. This delay needs to adversely affect the child’s ability to learn. The Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) uses the NYSED criteria when appropriating services. CPSE will also determine to what extent services will be provided.
CPSE is composed of several members, including a county representative who ensures that all parties involved with service delivery are upholding State Education Regulations. The CPSE Chairperson is a representative of the school district who is qualified to provide, administer, or supervises Special Education. A parent is also a part of CPSE and is present at meetings to advocate for his or her child. A NYS certified teacher is also present and an employee of district where the child is placed.
Lead poising can cause problems with a child’s growth, behavior, and ability to learn. The Allegany County Department of Health provides education, case management, and primary prevention services.
Available Services:
- Education Programs-How to Prevent lead poisoning in children
- Case Management-Public Health nurse working with families to lower high blood lead levels in children
Primary Prevention Services:
- Community Awareness
Click HERE or View list below for Lead Hazard Product Recalls
WE WORK FOR YOUR WELL BEING
HPV is the Human Papilloma Virus. HPV can lead to genital warts, cervical cancer in women, penile cancer in men, anal cancer and throat cancer. It is completely preventable through a vaccine called Gardasil and recommended for persons age 9-26.
Vaccination is not recommended for everyone older than age 26 years.
- Some adults age 27 through 45 years who are not already vaccinated may decide to get HPV vaccine after speaking with their health care provider about their risk for new HPV infections and the possible benefits of vaccination for them.
- HPV vaccination in this age range provides less benefit, because more people in this age range have already been exposed to HPV.
Call us for details or to schedule an appointment (585) 268-9250.
Allegany County sponsors Immunization Clinics for adults and children. Most services are free to those who qualify and a sliding fee scale is provided for others.
Adult Immunization
Most adults do not realize that they need immunizations. Please call us for a FREE individualized assessment of immunizations you could benefit from per CDC recommendations. (585) 268-9250
Immunization for Children
Immunization schedules for children are changing all the time. Please call us for a FREE individualized assessment of immunizations you could benefit from per CDC recommendations. (585) 268-9250
Immunization clinics are held in Belmont by appointment only. During influenza season clinics are held in several different locations throughout Allegany County.
Immunizations are billed to insurances or self pay. If self pay is utilized an income based payment system is available. The self pay range could be $0 to full cost of vaccine. Call us to determine fee! (585) 268-9250
