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A
program of Regional Enterprises for Adults and Children, Inc. 1.
WHAT ARE BIRTH TO 3 SERVICES? Birth
to 3 is a federally funded program run through the Department
of Human Services which is designed to help children with special
needs reach their full potential. The program works with families
of children with special needs from birth until the child's third
birthday. A team works with each family enrolled in the program. Birth to 3 is a family centered program with the parent being an active member of the team. In addition to the parents, a team can include a teacher, speech therapist, occupational or physical therapist and possibly a public health nurse. The team then works together in order to help children acquire the skills necessary to more easily participate within their family and daily routines. They also help the child catch up and fill in the gaps where skills may be missing. Team members visit each family regularly, based on the needs of the child and family wishes. The visits take place right in the child's home or at a different location within the community where the family would like suggestions in helping their child develop. We
focus on the family, because you, as parents, know your child best.
Our work is more effective if we work as a team. You and the rest
of your team decide when is a good time to see your child. We then
visit in a place that you and your child would typically be during
that part of the day. We work together to develop a plan for your
child. The
Birth to 3 Program is like a wheel with parents and children
at the center and the teachers, therapists, and coordinators as
support available to assist the family. Our goal is to see your
child reach his or her potential. 2. WHY ARE BIRTH TO 3 SERVICES IMPORTANT? Recent research of the brain tells us that babies are born with a mind ready for learning. However, it takes years of experience-looking, listening, playing and interacting with parents to wire a child's brain. The first few years of a child's life are the most important, because with the proper stimulation a child will develop faster, learn language better, and all in all be a smarter kid. Games as simple as peek-a-boo, stacking blocks, banging on pots, or stringing beads enhance a child's cognitive, motor, and language development.
3. WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR BIRTH TO 3 SERVICES? A child is eligible for Birth to 3 services if he or she
has a diagnosed disability or if a child is found to have a significant
delay in development. The
delay could be in any one of the following areas:
Any child can be referred to Birth to 3 if someone in their life is concerned about their development. Most children are referred to Birth to 3 by parents, other caregivers, family members, public health nurses or doctors. WHAT TYPES OF SERVICES COULD MY FAMILY RECEIVE? After
your child has been determined to be eligible for Birth to 3, options
are discussed with the family. If the family decides to receive
services, a plan specific to their child's needs and what the family
wants for the child will be developed. The plan will include goals
for the child and family, as well as which service provider(s) the
family would like to visit them. Parents and professionals work
together on these goals to enhance the child's development. They
also assist families with activities that are part of their daily
routine in order to help a child reach his or her full potential.
Teamwork is an important part of Birth to 3 services.
Birth
to 3 services available through REACH: Teacher
Services: Teachers
have general knowledge about all areas of child development. They
work with families to assist them in helping their children to learn
and grow by promoting and facilitating development in cognition,
social, motor, communication and self-help skills. Teachers are
available to answer questions related to parenting, such as managing
children's behavior, sibling support, etc.. Teachers help adapt
activities within daily routines so that the family can better meet
the needs of the child. Service
Coordination: Service
Coordinators serve as a resource for families, providing them with
information about many things, such as day cares, parent support
groups, or community resources. When a child turns three, they assist
families in transitioning their child into other community programs
like schools, preschools, or Head Start. They are also the people
that families talk to if they have questions about Birth to 3 services
or want to make changes in their services. Services
available through other agencies include: Physical
Therapist:
Works with families to encourage children to develop lower body
strength and coordination in sitting, rolling crawling and other
activities that they do throughout their daily routine. Occupational
Therapist: Utilizes
family routines to enhance children's play and self-care skills
and to develop upper body strength and coordination. Speech-Language
Therapist:
Assists families in appropriate ways to encourage their children
to use words, signs, or gestures to communicate their wants and
needs as well as to increase children's understanding of what is
being said to them. Nutritionist:
Works with families to address children's nutrition and growth needs
as well as assisting if there are feeding difficulties. Public Health Nurse: provides families and their children with healthy environments by securing immunization, well-child care, and safety in their home. They are available to the family to address health concerns, including nutrition, feeding, illness, and referral to assist the family in dealing with such concerns. There
is no fee for families to receive a Birth to 3 evaluation.
A parental cost share may be charged for services that a family may
choose to have after this evaluation. Parents who are
determined to be able, may share in the cost of early intervention
services. When a child is covered by either
private insurance or medical assistance a claim is submitted for
therapy services with parental consent. For
more information about Birth to 3 services you may contact
a teacher at (715) 833-7742.
You can also speak with your doctor or Public Health Nurse. To
make a referral to Birth to 3 call (715)
831-5702.
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