Service Coordination and Family Training
Statewide Early Intervention Services assists parents in understanding and meeting the needs of their baby or preschooler who is deaf, blind, or sensory multi-disabled. Our goal will always be to provide you with all of the information needed to make the best decisions for your child.
Service Coordination
Service coordination includes:
- Service coordinators who, along with the child's family and support team, determine vision impairment services, deaf/hard of hearing services, family training, orientation and mobility services, teachers of the visually impaired, or sign language instruction
- Meetings and observations in a natural environment to help families understand their child's development related to hearing or vision loss
- A child-centered Individual Family Service Plan designed around each family's needs
- Referrals to physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists
- Transition assistance into school services and other developmental programs when appropriate
- Educational materials and activities
- Referrals to community resources such as parent support groups, including Family Connections, and other activities when available
Family Training
Family trainers have specialized knowledge in working with families who have babies or preschoolers who are deaf/hard of hearing or blind/visually impaired. The family trainer will work closely with the service coordinator and all of the other team members to address developmental concerns. The team will meet with you and your child as well as other family members and child care workers that you wish to include. Meetings can take place in your home or at another location in the community.
Together, families, caregivers, family trainers, and other team members will share information, discuss ideas and adaptations, and monitor the child’s progress. The family trainer will assist you in addressing your concerns and help the team determine the most appropriate goals and priorities.