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Early Intervention
Program
The mission of the early intervention program is to identify
and evaluate as early as possible those children (ages 3-5) who are already
experiencing emotional and behavioral problems and to provide interventions
to improve child and family development, and the mental health of the
child. There are several components to the program, all of which work
together to provide early intervention strategies and support to young
children and their families. Family involvement is an important key to
this program.
The goal of this program is to identify mental health
needs as early as possible. By identifying needs as early as 3 and 4 years
old, children can receive much needed interventions and supports before
they even begin school. This can decrease the number of problems the child
has once they start elementary school.
Day Treatment
The early intervention day treatment program serves children with severe
emotional and behavioral problems that have been caused by traumatic events,
exposure to drugs and violence, disrupted attachments to adults/caregivers,
neurological vulnerabilities, and family history of mental illness. The
program is designed for children who are already experiencing significant
difficulties functioning at home or preschool. It is not designed to replace
preschool/daycare. It is an intervention to address emotional and behavioral
problems. The focus is on helping children develop coping, problem-solving,
and social skills so that they can regulate their emotions and better
control their behavior.
Case Management
Case management is a vital part of the early intervention program. Case
management services assist a family in accessing and coordinating the
other services needed by the family. This linkage is vital in meeting
the needs of young children and their families. The case manager serves
as a key liaison between the family, therapist, and preschool involvement
to coordinate services and advocate on behalf of the child.
Family Education/Support
Family involvement is crucial in the early intervention programs. Parents
receive support and guidance to help them cope with their child’s
difficulties. Parents also receive training in parenting skills and behavioral
modification techniques. The goal is to assist parents in developing the
necessary skills to have a strong and nurturing environment at home.
Therapist
In addition to working closely with the case manager, the therapist works
with day treatment/preschool/head start staff to assist in the implementation
of interventions that will address the needs of the child. Working both
with the school/day care and with the family, the therapist’s interventions
allow for consistency at home and in the preschool setting. |
