| Systems Change in Chittenden County |
Family,
Infant, and Toddler Program responds to the need for consistent &
effective Early Intervention Services for Children and Familes
Our Recent History
In 2001, a Community Review identified strengths and challenges of the
current model of evaluation and service delivery for children birth to
three and their families.
FITP
Regional Team, composed of families, therapists, educators, and
community leaders, organized study committees and set goals for a new
model. They sought high-quality services with minimal stress to
families, improved team communication and collaboration, and cost
effectiveness so that services could reach a growing number of children
and families.
The Regional Team chose the Primary Service Provider Model. The decision was based upon our knowledge of how young children learn. Infants and toddlers master new skills by practicing them many times within the daily routine of their family's or childcare's schedule: while waking up, sharing meals, playing outside, and interacting with peers. Intervention for young children, therefore, comes from family members and childcare teachers. Therapists and other professionals offer additional information and resources, interacting directly with the child to demonstrate a new strategy or exercise, usually at the caregiver's request.
In
this model, one professional, the Primary Service Provider, usually
provides weekly support to the child's family members and childcare
teachers when appropriate. A team of professionals who consult with the
team and the child's caregivers back up the Primary Service Provider.
Our Present Activity
The Regional Team is currently introducing the model to the broader
community and planning for its initial implementation early in 2005. On
September 30th, The Public Awareness Committee held an Open Forum for
families and professionals at the Winooski Educational Center
Auditorium. A mother celebrated her experience with a Primary Service
Provider Model in New Hampshire and professionals described working
within a similar model in Massachusetts. FITP staff outlined the plan
for the new model as follows:
- 4 Collaborative Teams will serve the children and families in Chittenden County.
- Each Team will serve about 35 Ð 40 children.
- Teams will have 7 or 8 members: an Occupational Therapist, a Physical Therapist, a Speech Language Pathologist, a Family Resource Coordinator, 2 or 3 Developmental Educators, and a Medical Social Worker from Children with Special Health Needs (CSHN). Extended Team members might include a Nutritionist, a Mental Health Consultant, a Child Care Teacher, a Pediatrician, etc.
- Initial implementation will start in early 2005 with the remaining Teams starting in mid-2005.
- Families who currently receive services through FITP will decide with their present teams whether to join the appropriate Collaborative Team or to continue with their current plan for service delivery.
- Children who require intensive services may not receive services through the Primary Service Provider Model. Their teams may plan a more frequent schedule of visits by a greater variety of professionals.
A
similar Open Forum, with more details for families who will be served
by the first Collaborative Teams, will be held in January 2005. A
specific date will be posted at www.partoparvt.org.
Our Vision for the Near Future
Through the Primary Service Provider Model:
- More families will receive high-quality services through FITP
- FITP services will be coordinated, not fragmented
- Families will receive one comprehensive evaluation report
- Typically, each family or caregiver will host one weekly visit, either by a Primary Service Provider or by that professional along with an additional consultant from the Collaborative Team. Children and families will have to build fewer relationships while receiving early intervention services. They will be able to call upon a skilled and caring group of professionals as needed.
- During home or childcare visits, families and teachers will participate with their children in meaningful activities. They will have access to resources and will receive information to support informed decision-making.
- Transitions for children and families at age 3 will be eased by consistent communication between preschool teachers or other community providers and one Collaborative Team.
Questions or Comments? Please call Liz Jordan Shook or Ann Dillenbeck at (802)764-5294.
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