1. Child & Family Connections #14

2. What is Child and Family Connections The Early Intervention Program in Illinois State funded program to assist families in receiving services for infants and toddlers who have developmental delays or are at risk of developmental delays Supports and teaches families how to play with their children in ways to help them learn essential skills

3. Why is Early Intervention Important? During first years of child’s life Early Intervention can make a big difference. Enhance child’s development Help answer question about child’s development Improve developmental and educational growth

4. Why is Early Intervention Important? Help children with developmental delays become more independent Help give your child best possible start in life, preventing or lessening the need for more intervention in the future Help communities become aware of the gifts and abilities of all their children

5. What Services does Early Intervention Provide? Assistive Technology devices and services Early Identification Screening and Assessment Family Training, Counseling and Home Visits Nursing Health Services necessary to enable child to benefit from EI Medical Services (only for diagnostic or evaluation purposes) Nutrition Social Work

6. What Services does Early Intervention Provide? Occupational Therapy Physical Therapy Psychological Services Service Coordination Special Instruction/ Developmental Therapy Speech Language Pathology Audiology Transportation and related costs Vision Services

7. How are services provided? Direct services- one- on-one interactions with family and child to provide parent education, intervention, and environmental support to family at least monthly

8. How are services provided? Monitoring involves evaluation and re- evaluation of child and family needs. Includes assistance and review of “homework” activities for family to work with infant or toddler. Contact with family one time per month or every 3, 6, or 9 months.

9. How are services provided? Consultation involves therapists working with one another to provide training, evaluation, or assistance regarding a specific intervention for a child. There may be possibly one encounter between therapist and family

10. Who provides services? Special Educator (child development specialist) Speech Language Pathologist Audiologist Occupational Therapist Physical Therapist Optometrist Psychologist Social Workers Nurses Nutritionist Family Therapist Orientation and Mobility Specialist Pediatrician and other physicians

11. What to expect from Early Intervention All activities will be individualized and will consider uniqueness of every child and family, will respect the decisions of families and will be designed to enhance the development of child Families will be regarded as consumers who are entitled to be fully informed and to be active participants in the process

12. What to expect from Early Intervention Individual family strengths, dreams and hopes will be recognized, respected and encouraged The process used to support each family as they enter will be individualized and family centered Needs and concerns identified by family will be those addressed first

13. What to expect from Early Intervention Practices will support the inclusion of all children and their families within the community IFSP will be developed by a team that includes the family as an equal partner and will be based on identified strength of the child and family Assessment practices will be age appropriate

14. What to expect from Early Intervention Families will be offered a full and complete list of eligible services base on the needs of the child Only qualified staff will participate in the services system Private insurance must be used for EI services, with safeguards for families and exemptions under certain circumstances

15. How do families become involved in Early Intervention If a child birth to age three is suspected of having a developmental delay or is at risk of having a developmental delay a referral should be made to the local Child and Family Connections Office

16. Who can make referrals? Parents Family Members Physician Pediatrician Hospital Regional Diagnostic Center Health Department Day Care Provider Social Agencies DCFS Local Screeners Other Community Agencies

17. How do I make a referral Call Child and Family Connections #14 which covers families residing in Peoria, Woodford, Tazewell, Henry, and Stark Counties or to find out local CFC phone number 1-888-482-4300 or local (309) 672-6360

18. What happens after referral is made? Child will be assigned a Service Coordinator who will do initial intake with family. The Initial Intake is a meeting that includes explanation of EI and Service Coordination, completion of social/intake interview, explore concerns and priorities to plan evaluation, screen for Medicaid/Kidcare and DSCC eligibility, family fees and use of insurance and explain procedural safeguard and completion of initial paperwork

19. Transition At age 30 months referral to 3-5 School Program At Risk Program, Preschool etc. 6-month and Annual Evaluation of IFSP Linkage to Service Providers IFSP Evaluation & Assessment Intake with Family Referral to EI Parent Refusal of EI Program Explain how to re-contact if services are desired in the future Ineligible Locate other providers outside EI system or other resources Decline All Services Explain access to services if desired in future Early Intervention Process Flow Chart

20. What are roles of Staff involved in Early Intervention? Service Coordinator- Ultimate goal is to empower family members to ensure that the child and family receive all needed services. Service Coordinators are partners, consultant, planner, teacher, provider, monitor and advocate.

21. What are roles of Staff involved in Early Intervention? Service Coordinator responsibilities –support family members effort to gain skills and confidence in their roles and responsibilities related to their child’s needs –Link families to resources –Inform family members of their rights, obligations and responsibilities under EI –Assist family and other IFSP team members in development and implementation of IFSP

22. What are roles of Staff involved in Early Intervention? Service Coordinator responsibilities –Assist family and other IFSP team members in development and implementation of IFSP –Assist family members as their child transitions within EI and beyond the EI services system –Contact family one time per month to monitor progress –Facilitate 6 month, Annual meetings with families & providers.

23. What are roles of Staff involved in Early Intervention? Parent Liaison was designed with you, the parent in mind. They are parents of children with disabilities who have experienced the EI system and can help you.

24. What are roles of Staff involved in Early Intervention? Parent Liaison Responsibilities –Providing you with specific information about your child’s diagnosis/ concerns –Assisting you, your Service Coordinator and Service providers in locating and providing information about services and resources in EI –Provide you with information about transition from EI to a school or community program when you child turns 3

25. What are roles of Staff involved in Early Intervention? Parent Liaison Responsibilities –Attend IFSP meetings, support group meetings, and other meetings that might be appropriate for your family –Being a listener on those days when you need someone to talk or has similar circumstances –Linking families to community resources –Planning family workshops and activities

26. What are roles of Staff involved in Early Intervention? Service Provider is an educator and resource provider, as well as hands on link to services Your partner in your child’s services, ready to discuss what’s important to your family An assistant to your family who can give advice how to integrate activities into your daily routine that will enhance child’s development

27. What are roles of Staff involved in Early Intervention? Service Provider –Physician –Speech Therapist –Occupational Therapist –Developmental Therapist –Physical Therapist –Specialist –Other staff as needed

28. Ways to be involved in Early Intervention Local Interagency Council (LIC) –An organization in which families, local service providers and interested community members meet to support a family centered system of services with children. What does LIC do? –Workshops, Support Groups, Connect with agencies and providers, Resource of Information, Plan Family Events, & Networking –Contact Jamie Capitelli 999-7006 Nicole Painter 999-7007

29. Thank You