SW in NYC EI
Social Work
Social workers in early intervention support families managing the EI system, address social-emotional development in young children, and help connect families with community resources. It's meaningful, flexible work.
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NYC EI pay rates, SW
What do NYC EI SWs earn?
Rates vary significantly across agencies. Licensed SWs earn $38–$55/session across 14 agencies on EI Match. At 20 sessions/week over 48 weeks, that's $36,480–$52,800/year.
Rates by agency, SW per session
The role
What does an EI SW do?
You provide family support services, help caregivers understand and cope with their child's developmental needs, facilitate caregiver-child interaction, and coordinate with other EI team members.
Licensing
License requirements in NYC
LMSW or LCSW required in New York State. Some agencies support unlicensed MSW graduates working toward licensure.
What SWs do in NYC EI
Social Worker in NYC Early Intervention
NYC EI social workers provide family support services, social-emotional assessments, and counseling focused on the family's capacity to support their child's development. You work with families managing stress, housing instability, immigration concerns, and other factors that affect a child's early development. Social work in EI is family-centered, home-based, and collaborative with the full service team.
Licensing requirements
NYS LMSW or LCSW. LMSW providers may require supervision depending on their years of experience and the nature of services being delivered. Your license must be active and in good standing with the NYS Office of Professions at the time of your NYC DOH early intervention application. Review the full NYC DOH approval guide for step-by-step instructions.
Demand for SWs in NYC EI
Social work is in growing demand in NYC EI as the program increasingly recognizes family context as central to child outcomes. Bilingual social workers (particularly Spanish and Haitian Creole) have excellent access to cases and can command higher rates.
Social workers with experience in immigrant family dynamics, trauma-informed approaches, or postpartum support are especially sought after. Los Ninos Services and Yeled v'Yalda have historically strong social work caseloads given their mission-driven focus on underserved families.
Related guides
Resources for NYC EI SWs
Common questions
FAQ for SWs in NYC EI
Yes, EI providers must be approved by the NYC DOHMH. Most agencies walk you through the approval process and can start onboarding before you're fully approved.
Yes. Most NYC EI SWs work with 2–3 agencies to fill their caseload. Agencies are used to this and EI Match can help you find the right mix.
It varies, some agencies pay within 14 days, others take 30–45. This is one of the biggest quality-of-life differences between agencies. EI Match shows each agency's payment cycle upfront.
Most EI therapists work as 1099 independent contractors and manage their own taxes. A small number of agencies offer W-2 with benefits. 1099 typically pays more per session.
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