Live Video Visits

Are you wondering if Live Video Visits are right for you and your family? Please see the video below to learn more about the benefits in early intervention.

Live Video Visits - A Family's Point of View 

Supporting Anxious Eaters and their Caregivers - 2 Opportunities!

Do you have feeding and nutrition concerns for your child? The Clubhouse and Cicero Therapies are offering a free one on one 30 minute consultation (through January 15th) with their feeding team. Please click on the link below to learn more and schedule your session.

Feeding & Nutrition Consultation 

Join the Chicago Feeding Group on January 31st, 6:30-8:30 p.m. for a parenting panel. This event will be a moderated discussion with parents who have children with feeding challenges. Parental stress, management of family life, effectiveness of interventions, and the role of a feeding therapist are topics that will be explored throughout the                                                                           discussion. 

Parent Panel: Parenting a Child who Struggles to Eat

Autism - Learning More About Neurodiversity

Interested in learning more about autism? Wondering about symptoms, how a diagnosis is made and what supports may be available? Please see the resources below. 

https://autismnavigator.com/ - Autism Navigator provides resources, webinars/learning and a virtual community for those interested in learning more about early detection and support for children diagnosed with autism.

http://www.interactingwithautism.com/ is a video based resource that helps caregivers better understand the diagnosis, therapy options and experience living with autism.

Resource Directory RUSH offers a local resource directory for individuals diagnosed with autism. Looking for a dentist, summer camp or a supportive place to get your child's hair cut? Check out these recommendations!

Chicago Autism Network provides virtual workshops for caregivers around important topics such as encouraging social engagement, school advocacy and navigating insurance benefits.

First 100 Days After Diagnosis Tool Kit  Autism Speaks believes knowledge is power, particularly in the days after an autism diagnosis. The Autism Speaks 100 Day Kit helps families of children ages four and under make the best possible use of the 100 days following the diagnosis.

Support through our office is also available! Iwona Parkel, our Parent Liaison is available to talk one on one should you be interested, Iwona_M_Parkel@rush.edu. Please don't hesitate to connect.

Parent2Parent Support

Click on postcard to enlarge.

Parent 2 Parent is a monthly group for parents and caregivers of children enrolled in Early Intervention through CFC 11. Together we can explore resources, share experiences, give, and receive support. Please email Sarah Karela, Sarah_M_Karela@rush.edu or Iwona Parkel, Iwona_M_Parkel@rush.edu to learn more or request a link to our next meeting. 

Interested in other ways to connect to local parent support? Check out C.I.T.Y. of Support  (Children in Therapy and You), https://cityofsupport.org/.

Building Awareness Around Postpartum Depression

With the birth of a baby may come powerful emotions. You may experience moments of excitement and joy to fear and anxiety. But it can also result in something you might not expect — depression.

According to Mayo Clinic, most new moms experience postpartum "baby blues" after childbirth, which commonly include mood swings, crying spells, anxiety and difficulty sleeping. Baby blues typically begin within the first two to three days after delivery, and may last for up to two weeks.

But some new moms experience a more severe, long-lasting form of depression known as postpartum depression. 

Postpartum depression isn't a character flaw or a weakness. Sometimes it's simply a complication of giving birth. If you have postpartum depression, prompt treatment can help you manage your symptoms and help you bond with your baby. Talking with your doctor is an important first step. In addition, the resources below may be some to consider:

Beyond Baby Blues This Evanston based resource offers online support groups for women experiencing postpartum depression. They also offer a six week, free support group for women who have experienced a miscarriage, stillbirth, death of a newborn, or death of an infant one year of age or younger.

Postpartum Support International A go-to online resource that offers an extensive provider directory as well as a wealth of online support groups for moms, dads, partners.

Chicagoland's Fussy Baby Network provides telephone support, home visits, parent groups, and a Fussy Baby Clinic for families with questions about crying, sleeping or feeding during the first 12 months of their baby’s life, 1 888-431-BABY.

NorthShore MOMS Line an incredibly responsive team through Northshore Hospital dedicated to supporting those experiencing perinatal depression. You don’t have to be a patient there to get help.

Northwestern Medicine COMPASS offers patients at Northwestern University Medical Center a collaborative care team which includes your pregnancy care team and mental health care team. Supports last from pregnancy to one year after your baby is born.

Building Babies’ Brains Through Play: Mini Parenting Master Class

Did you know that the most important interactions you have with a child can happen through play?

By engaging in playful serve and return with a child, you can 

literally help build stronger connections in the brain. 

West Side Focus

A House in Austin is located in a two-story, Victorian house in Chicago’s Austin area.  The home offers an informal space for West Side parents to meet each other, learn new skills, share experiences and learn from one another. Daytime programming is free and includes a music class, a parent chat hour, a support group for new fathers, art and reading classes for infants through 5-year-olds, meditation and yoga, even a cooking course.

 

Coaching through Live Video Visits

Why Live Virtual Visits?

As we are solidly in year three of the pandemic, we can see the positive impact live virtual visits have had on families whose children receive Early Intervention. What began as a tool of necessity to maintain safety has become an invaluable method that promotes coaching and family-centered care. In Early Intervention (EI), we believe parents are the experts on helping their child. They have the most impact on their child’s development. During the live virtual coaching process, parents become equipped to teach their child new skills as they are guided in a gentle, non-judgmental manner by the EI therapist.

There are many benefits to using a coaching approach in EI. Research has shown coaching to be effective in helping children meet developmental goals.

Coaching helps parents and primary caregivers:

• Develop skills to interact with their child in ways that support the child’s development.
• Understand the reason for and impact of these interactions. 
• Identify strategies that can be used in daily routines, practice strategies in front of the provider, reflect on interactions with their child, problem-solve challenges and receive supportive feedback.
• Develop the skills and confidence to use the strategies and interventions on their own, so they can help their child learn new skills even when the EI provider isn’t there. 

Benefits of telehealth include:

• Fewer people coming into the home, resulting in less exposure to germs.
• Flexible scheduling, making it easier to target times of the day when more help is needed, such as meals or nap time.
• Both parents and/or caregivers may be able to participate from different locations.
• Due to extensive need and wait lists, live virtual visits offer more immediate access to important, time-sensitive therapy supports!

Need a tablet or internet access? 

To learn about Early Intervention's technology loan program please click here.

Your service coordinator wants to know how therapies are going! Please keep in contact with us if you have any questions or concerns.

Preschool

Thinking about preschool for your child? Below is a resource that can be helpful in thinking through the process.

 When I'm 3, Where Will I Be?

Why consider preschool? Preschool offers instruction built on social skills, imaginative play, art, music and movement, taught alongside learning to count and matching letters to sounds and words. Both benefit kids' readiness for school and teaches them how to be learners. Children learn independence, flexibility, listening and problem-solving skills. 

What if my child continues to need therapy supports? Are they ready for preschool enrollment?

Chicago Public Schools are equipped to work with children that are not yet walking independently, are still learning how to express themselves or need help with toileting or diaper changes. When children need additional supports to get through the school day, Chicago Public Schools determines eligibility and an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is created. This document is very similar to the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) that you created with your therapy team in Early Intervention except that it focuses on what supports and therapies are needed in the educational setting. In addition, you may want to consider connecting with therapies in an outpatient clinic setting. Please click here to get a listing of resources. 

What is an IEP (Individualized Education Plan)?

An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a plan that describes the special education instruction, supports, and services that students with disabilities are legally entitled to receive.  An IEP is developed by you, the caregiver and the school staff members (CPS evaluation team). The contents of an IEP are determined by the student's needs and may include a variety of therapies (speech, physical, occupational), social work supports a one-on-one aide or paraprofessional, nursing supports, assistive technology and possibly other accommodations (support with toileting, sensory breaks, etc.). 

What is an IEP?

What if we change our mind and decide our child won’t go to preschool?

Although preschool is highly recommended for almost all children, you can always change your mind! It is commonly advised that you have your child evaluated and an IEP created even if you are not sure if your child will attend Chicago Public Schools. The IEP will be good for one year which means your child may enter into the school system with supports in place should you decide to eventually enroll them. You may also be interested in getting an evaluation and IEP created even if you decide that your child will be going to a childcare setting or private school. 

Where will my child go to preschool?

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) offers preschool for qualifying children at the age of three. The program offers primarily half days for children based on the recommendation set by the CPS team. In accordance to federal law, CPS attempts to assign your child to the preschool closest to their home. There are instances when a child’s therapy needs cannot be met at their local, home school. The next closest school that has an opening will then be assigned. Busing is available for children who are eligible for a half day program, and that were not assigned to their home school. Please discuss this with the CPS evaluation team should you be interested.

What is Extended Services? (Click to read more)

Early Intervention recently implemented a policy for children that have birthdays between May to August to potentially qualify for extended services. Children may have the option to continue therapies until the beginning of the school year if they are eligible for an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) through Chicago Public Schools. To qualify for Early Intervention Extended Services (EI/ES), the child must: be determined eligible for early intervention, have an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP), have their third birthday between May 1 and August 31 and be found eligible for an Individualized Education Program (IEP).

Getting Ready for Preschool: A Timeline

When enrolled in Early Intervention, getting ready for preschool begins when your child is 2 ½ years old (30 months). With your written permission, your child’s Early Intervention service coordinator will share your child’s developmental reports to the Chicago Public School’s preschool evaluation team. These developmental reports will give the evaluation team some background on the progress your child has made as well as the areas in which they may need future, additional support. You will then receive an informational call from the School Entry Support Specialist (from CPS) and a representative from Early Intervention. This call aims to provide families with a brief overview of preschool and the transition process. Following this call, you will receive an email with a written summary of the conversation as well as a link to a virtual CPS informational session. This virtual session is offered to parents that are considering CPS preschools. It provides a more in-depth explanation of the preschool transition process as well as gives caregivers an opportunity to ask questions.

School Entry Support Specialist for Chicago Public Schools:

Gina Dalpra

Office Number: 773-553-1878

Email: gvdalpra@cps.edu 

Your service coordinator is available to answer any questions related to the transition from Early Intervention to Chicago Public Schools.

 Transition meetings are offered to families on the last Tuesday of each month via Zoom from 1pm - 3pm (Central Time)

Please use the link below to access transition meetings

Early Intervention to Early Childhood Preschool Transition Meeting

When: Monthly, the last Tuesday from 1-2:15 p.m.

Where: Google Meeting ID:  meet.google.com/fkt-jyqk-qgc

The meeting will also be hosted in Spanish, monthly, last Tuesday from 2:15- 3:30 p.m.

ID JUNTA en español :  meet.google.com/fkt-jyqk-qgc

Please contact Roberta Hansen or Iwona Parkel with any additional questions. 

Iwona Parkel (Parent Liaison): 312-942-8485

Roberta Hansen (LIC Coordinator): 312-942-7863

 

STARNET offers parent workshops and trainings that focus on young children with disabilities. They help caregivers learn more about a child’s specific disability as well as promote an understanding of what services might be available through the early childhood community. In addition, they also offer a lending library.

https://www.starnetchicago.org/

Developmental Milestones: What are they and why they matter

Skills such as taking a first step, smiling for the first time, and waving “bye-bye” are examples of developmental milestones.  Children reach milestones in how they play, learn, speak, behave and move.  Every child is unique and may reach developmental milestones earlier or later than their peers.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides information to parents and caregivers on how to look for developmental milestones and what to do if you are worried about your child’s development or think there’s a problem.

Please view the YouTube video for more information:

Please see the link below for the CDC’s Developmental Milestones:

https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/index.html

 

All Hands Health Network helps families link to resources in the Chicago area. This site has a specific interest in connecting families from Belmont-Cragin and Austin (60639 and 60651) with social service organizations, food pantries, housing providers and governmental agencies and departments. You can browse by category using the website and entering your zip code. All Hands Health Network can also provide support by telephone, (312) 971-3044.

Please see link below for more information:

https://allhandshealthnetwork.luriechildrens.org/en/

News and Policy

Extended Services The Illinois Early Intervention Program offers parents of eligible children, under the Early Intervention/ Extended Service (EI/ES) option, the choice to continue to be eligible for Early Intervention (EI) beyond their child’s third birthday until the start of the school year following their third birthday, when all of the following criteria are met. 

The child must: 

• have been determined eligible for early intervention with services identified and consented to on the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP), and 

• have their third birthday between May 1 and August 31 and 

• have been found eligible for early childhood special education services (ECSE) under IDEA and Section 14-8.02 of Public Act 102-0209 (Section 11h) and created an Individualized Education Program (IEP).

Please refer to the link below for more information:

https://providerconnections.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/EI-ES-Services-Parent-Notice-06-2022.pdf

Family Fee Information:

At present, family fees are waived. Families will still be asked to provide a copy of the most recent federal income tax return, two consecutive pay stubs from each wage earner in the home, or a current Medicaid/All Kids card.

Automatic Eligibility: Children with medical conditions which are not listed may be determined eligible for EI services by a qualified family physician, pediatrician or pediatric subspecialist (pediatric neurologist, geneticist, pediatric orthopedic surgeon, pediatrician with special interest in disabilities) who provides written verification that the child’s medical condition is associated with a high probability of developmental delay as listed in eligibility criteria.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is my child determined eligible for Early Intervention? A child must be under 36 months AND

-have a physician’s diagnosis of a physical or mental condition that causes a developmental delay

-or have an identifiable developmental delay of 30% or more

-or be at risk of substantial delay because of certain risk factors.

Eligibility for ongoing services is determined through an initial evaluation that takes place with the family, evaluation team, and service coordinator.

https://eiclearinghouse.org/getting-started/eligibility/ 

How long will my child be in the program? Early Intervention is a voluntary program. Families can opt out of services at any time. A child can receive therapies, if they continue to be medically or developmentally eligible, until the day before their third birthday. Children may also meet their developmental goals and continued therapies are no longer needed. 

Can we rejoin the program if we decide to take a break? Families have the right to stop services at any time and can initiate a new referral any time before a child’s third birthday.

Can I be involved in my child’s therapies? Of course! Parents and caregivers are strongly encouraged to be active participants in a child’s therapy sessions. Early Intervention recognizes that you are the experts on your child. We value your input! Through participation in therapy sessions, you will gain strategies and techniques through play. These strategies are designed to easily carry over into your daily life and routines with your child. And with practice comes progress!

https://eiclearinghouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/famrole.pdf

Where does therapy take place? Early Intervention is currently offering virtual and in-person therapy sessions for children. Sessions can be hosted in your home or childcare center. Please see the link below to learn more about live video visits.

https://eiclearinghouse.org/public-awareness/live-video-visits/

What services are offered through Early Intervention?

https://eiclearinghouse.org/getting-started/ei-program-services/

• Assistive technology • Audiology/aural rehabilitation • Developmental therapy/Family training and support • Health consultation • Medical diagnostic evaluation (See brochure)  • Nursing • Nutrition • Occupational therapy • Physical therapy • Psychological/counseling services • Service coordination • Sign language or cued language • Social work • Speech language pathology • Transportation • Vision • Translation/interpretation to other languages

How can I help get the process moving? Parents and caregivers can support the process by submitting paperwork and documentation requested by the service coordinator. Help with obtaining copies of insurance cards and prescription for services (signed by medical provider) are greatly appreciated!

What happens if Early Intervention does not hear back from a family? Service coordinators are required to close the case after 45 days if they do not hear from the family and/or receive the required paperwork back to begin the process to schedule the evaluation. We understand, sometimes life gets busy. Feel free to reinitiate the referral when you are ready by calling our main office, (312) 942-7800.

What if my insurance/income/address/family size changes? Families are required to notify their service coordinator with any of the above changes. Additionally, caregivers are asked to kindly provide supporting paperwork to document the change.

What is your service coordinator’s role? A service coordinator works in partnership with the family—from initial referral through transition out of early intervention—to help the family gain access to the early intervention system, identify supports and services that meet the family’s needs, and understand the family’s rights and procedural safeguards.

The key to a service coordinator’s work is building a trusting relationship with the family. A service coordinator will take a family-centered approach at all times, acknowledging the family as full and equal team members, recognizing family strengths, and respecting family beliefs and values. This enables families to have access to support and information about their child’s needs, a deeper understanding of their child’s strengths and needs, and access to quality supports that are effective, coordinated, and individualized to their needs.

What is an IFSP? An Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) is a report that is developed after the initial evaluation(s). The IFSP outlines which areas of development and which therapies will be the focus during the child’s time in the program. The IFSP is active for one year, as long as the child stays in the program and/or until the child turns three, whichever comes first. The IFSP is updated after one year of service.

https://eiclearinghouse.org/einotes/ifsp/

What is an annual assessment? An annual assessment is required for all children in the program with an active Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP). The assessment is done with all ongoing therapists and a developmental therapist if the child is not currently receiving developmental therapy. During the assessment, the IFSP and goals will be updated for the child to ensure the areas of focus are relevant to the child’s development.

Can I still get Early Intervention services if we move? Early Intervention is a program offered throughout the United States. The Child and Family Connections (CFC) office you work with will be based on your zip code. Your service coordinator can help you identify your new office and assist with transferring all paperwork. Please notify your service coordinator prior to your move. If your move is within Illinois the service coordinator is able to transfer the case. If you are moving out of state your service coordinator can provide you with information about the office in your new area.

What Is Early Intervention?

Your child’s brain and body are growing rapidly during the first three years of life. They are learning many new things about the world around them. While all children need love and support to grow and learn, some children need a little extra help. An Early Intervention team can support your family and help your child reach their potential.

Early Intervention is a statewide program funded by IDEA Part C (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) and overseen by Illinois DHS (Department of Human Services). It provides supports and services for families to help their children under age 3 meet developmental milestones.

How is a child referred for Early Intervention?

Anyone can refer a child to Early Intervention (e.g. parents, physicians, other health care providers, child care providers, social service agencies, early learning programs, etc.). Once a referral is made, it is up to the family to decide whether they want to participate. When possible, please use a standard referral form (seen below):

https://www2.illinois.gov/hfs/SiteCollectionDocuments/hfs650.pdf

Referrals can also be made by calling our office, (312)942-7800.

What happens after my child is referred?

Once your child is referred, your family will be assigned a service coordinator. Together you and the service coordinator will arrange for an initial phone call. You will discuss your child’s strengths and areas of potential growth. Through these conversations, you and the service coordinator may determine which area(s) of development may need support. Initial evaluations with therapist(s) will then be scheduled. Results from these evaluations will be shared with you and the service coordinator. You, the service coordinator and therapists will then make a plan (IFSP – Individualized Family Service Plan) https://eiclearinghouse.org/einotes/ifsp/which will outline goals as well as the frequency, type and focus of therapies.

https://eiclearinghouse.org/getting-started/ei-program-services/

Want to learn more? Please consider looking at the links below.

What is Early Intervention?

https://www.dhs.state.il.us/OneNetLibrary/27897/documents/Brochures/4395.pdf

 

The Family Rights Handbook includes information on parental consent, prior notice, examination of records, confidentiality, complaints, and surrogate parents. Please refer to the Family Rights packet for information on your rights are a parent.

https://eiclearinghouse.org/getting-started/family-rights/

 

Please refer to the Guide for Families for information on how to navigate the Early Intervention program.

https://www.dhs.state.il.us/OneNetLibrary/27897/documents/Brochures/4279R0518.pdf

 

 

 

Getting Ready for Your First Visit

What can I expect during a therapy visit?

https://eiclearinghouse.org/einotes/typical-visit/

Introducing the Therapy Team

Possible Member’s of Your Child’s Therapy Team

https://eiclearinghouse.org/getting-started/ei-program-services/

 Speech Therapy https://eiclearinghouse.org/einotes/encouraging-speech/

Supports speech delays and/or communication concerns. Therapies help your child develop skills such as clarity, comprehension, fluency and sound production. Your child may need speech language therapy due to hearing impairments, cognitive delays, and/or weakness in the oral muscles.

Examples are:

• The presence or absence of common baby talk sounds
• The patterns in which a child moves their lips and tongue
• The timing of an infant’s first words
• Difficulties in the formation of categories of sounds
• Sensitivity of nerves around the mouth to touch or temperature extremes
  
  
  
  
  

Feeding Therapy

Feeding therapy can help identify physical concerns that may be associated with chewing and/or swallowing.  Concerns could be related to texture or consistency of the food being consumed. Typically, feeding therapy is done by a speech or occupational therapist that specializes in feeding therapy. 

Children who exhibit signs or symptoms listed below may benefit from feeding therapy:

• Frequent episodes of gagging, coughing, or choking

• “Gurgling” voice (wet voice) during or after eating/drinking

• Frequent upper respiratory infections and/or pneumonia

• Difficulty transitioning to textured food

• Poor weight gain or unexplained weight loss

• Behavioral feeding issues (refuses foods, tantrums, etc.)

• Difficulty chewing or swallowing

• Spitting up after feeding

Nutritional therapy

Feeding, weight gain, and diet are consistently high on parent’s priority list for their infant/child and can be a source of stress when they feel unable to meet these needs on an ongoing basis. Please refer to the link below if have nutritional concerns for your child:

https://eiclearinghouse.org/everyday/role-nutrition/#:~:text=Nutrition%20services%20in%20early%20intervention%20are%20provided%20by%20licensed%20dieticians,food%20habits%20and%20food%20preferences

 Occupational Therapy

An occupational therapist will work on how your child uses their hands to explore and play. They can also help a caregiver understand how their child may be experiencing their outside world and managing sensory experiences.

Occupational therapy may be beneficial if your child:

• Seeks sensory input (e.g. increased need for physical play, toe-walking, has difficulty understanding physical boundaries with peers or adults) • Avoids sensory input (e.g. covers ears, avoids clothing textures seems distressed when hands or body gets messy) • Demonstrates a decreased attention span, increased impulsivity or difficulty standing still • Falls down often or frequently bumps into objects • Requires increased time to complete simple tasks • Demonstrates difficulty transitioning, inflexible thinking or decreased frustration tolerance.

 Developmental Therapy

Supports early learning and preschool readiness skills through play. Therapies are designed to assist children in their everyday environment (home, childcare setting, etc.). A developmental therapist can help caregivers promote play skills, manage daily routines such as dressing, eating and other self-care activities. Developmental therapy focuses on the overall cognitive development for children. Please refer to the link below if have developmental concerns for your child:

https://eiclearinghouse.org/everyday/developmental-therapist-ei/

 Physical Therapy

Physical therapists can help with gross motor skills, like rolling, sitting, standing, walking, as well as teach/promote positioning exercises for plagiocephaly (flat head) and torticollis (head tilts). Through play, physical therapists can help a child build strength, coordination and symmetry in their movements. Please refer to the link below if have gross or fine motor concerns for your child:

https://eiclearinghouse.org/everyday/ot-pt-difference-ei/

Developmental Therapy Hearing (DTH)

Works to support families that have a child with a formal diagnosis of hearing loss. Therapies develop strategies to address developmental delays caused by hearing loss. Please refer to the link for more information about DTH in EI:

https://www.dhs.state.il.us/OneNetLibrary/27897/documents/Brochures/5101.pdf

 Developmental Therapy Vision (DTV) works to support families of children with diagnosed vision loss. They can share information related to your child’s specific visual diagnosis and develop strategies to address the potential impacts on the child’s development due to the visual loss and maximize visual function.

 Please refer to the link for more information about DTV in EI:

https://www.dhs.state.il.us/OneNetLibrary/27897/documents/Brochures/5102.pdf

Medical Diagnostic Evaluation

Infants and young children who may benefit from a medical diagnostic evaluation include those with one or more of the following indicators: • Delay in all areas with no medical diagnosis to explain the delay • Motor delay or abnormalities of movement with no diagnosis • Challenging behaviors and developmental delay • Differences in language, socialization and behavior • No gains in development following therapeutic intervention

 The medical diagnostic team is typically led by a developmental/behavioral pediatrician, child psychiatrist and/or pediatric neurologist. The team may also include a speech, occupational, developmental therapist or a social worker/psychologist. The team will integrate medical, educational and psychological information to make appropriate diagnoses and recommendations for treatment. The goal of the evaluation is to help the family better understand the child’s development, diagnosis and treatment plan. https://eiclearinghouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Medical-Diagnostic-brochure.072016.pdf

 Audiology

Supports children with hearing loss and/or prevents potential damage. A visit to the audiologist may be considered if your child is experiencing challenges with speech development. The medical and therapy teams may want to rule out hearing loss as a possible reason for language delays

Psychological and Counseling Services

Social workers, psychologists, counselors and other mental health professionals are available to provide support to children and their families. Early Intervention recognizes that support oftentimes needs to extend beyond the child. Being a parent or caregiver of young children comes with a fair share of stress. You are not alone! These team members can assess the need for outside resources (medical card, food stamps, health care, etc.). In addition, they help parents address challenging behaviors, navigate moments of overwhelm and support caregiver health. Please ask your service coordinator if you would like to connect with these services.