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TRANSCRIPT
A Newsletter for Families and Their Children Served by Gulf Central Early Steps
CHARLOTTE, DESOTO, HARDEE, HIGHLANDS, MANATEE & SARASOTA COUNTIES JANUARY, FEBRUARY, MARCH 2020
What You Should Know About IDEA Part C, and Early Steps.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Part C System Part C of IDEA is a federal law that provides all the states throughout the nation, the opportunity to create a statewide system of care for infants and toddlers who are developmentally delayed and their families. This law recognizes the positive impact of early intervention on the development of young children and their families and recognizes the importance of meeting the developmental needs of children early in their lives. This system includes services and supports designed to meet the developmental needs of each eligible child, from birth to age three, and their families.
Early Steps Part C of IDEA is implemented in Florida through Early Steps. It is a system where families and professionals work together to provide services and supports for children with special needs. Early Steps provides a coordinated system of services and supports for infants and toddlers with established conditions or who are at risk for developmental delay, and their families. Characteristics of Early Steps include: Comprehensive – which means completely or broadly; Multidisciplinary – means relating to, or using a combination of
several disciplines or pulling from different areas to meet needs; Community-based – means consisting of a population of
individuals in a common location like a community; Individualized – helping each family meet the unique needs of
their child and family; and Family-focused – concentrates on anyone who has an important
role in the care and rearing of a child.
Your Local Early Steps Office Local Early Steps have responsibility for the following: Ensuring that IDEA, Part C services and supports are provided to
eligible infants and toddlers, and their families. Ensure services are provided in accordance with the IFSP to meet
the needs of the child and family.
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What You Should Know About IDEA, & Early Steps
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IDEA Con’t, & Instagram 2
Family Story 3
Family Cafe Conference 4
Light House Vision Loss Centers
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Miracle League 6
Breastfeeding Classes 7
Parenting Classes 8
Support Groups & Synergy of Mind
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Upcoming Early Steps Events
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Community Resources 11
Inside this issue:
with active hyperlinks!
FAMILY RESOURCE NEWS
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Support families to enhance their child’s development. Collaborate with community partners and available resources.
Early Steps Services Early Steps Services and Supports are free to all families and eligible children. All eligible families receive the following services: Public Awareness & Education – Local Early Steps provide materials and conduct activities
that accurately and effectively describe Early Steps. Referral & Screening – activities conducted in the community to identify infants and toddlers
who may potentially be eligible for IDEA, Part C and other services. Evaluation & Assessment – A multidisciplinary evaluation and assessment is provided for
children and families referred to Early Steps to determine eligibility for services and to assess the child’s level of functioning and needs in each developmental area.
Service Coordination – Each child and family’s service coordinator will assist your family in facilitating and coordinating services and supports through all phases of the service delivery system.
Individualized Family Support Planning process begins upon referral, and includes the development of a written document, called the Individualized Family Support Plan (IFSP), for eligible children and families within 45 days of referral. The IFSP is based on your family’s concerns, priorities, resources, and the multidisciplinary evaluation and assessment results. It documents specific services and supports that are necessary to help meet the unique needs of your child and family within their everyday routines, activities, and places. A periodic review of the IFSP is conducted at least every six months and evaluated annually or more often if your family or team members request.
Natural Environments IDEA, Part C requires that “to the maximum extent appropriate…services must be provided in natural environments, including home and community settings in which children without disabilities participate.”
Natural Environments are your day-to-day routines, activities and places that promote learning opportunities for your child and family. Receiving Early Steps services and supports in natural learning environments means: Your child will have opportunities for the same types of experiences as children without
disabilities. Your child and family will learn skills that are useful and meaningful in your everyday life. Your family will be empowered to meet your child’s developmental needs. Services and supports will be incorporated into your child and family’s everyday life. Your family is encouraged and helped in identifying your child’s strengths and talents. Your family is assisted in building relationships that focus on your strengths. Your child and family’s social and language skills will be facilitated. That sense of isolation, which many families feel at one point or another, will be decreased by
connecting to those natural supports like family, friends and the community.
*This information is provided by various exerts of A New Star: A Family’s Guide to Navigating Early Steps, Module 1, March 2002 Early Steps Children’s Medical Services.
(Continued from page 1)
Did you know?
Two of our amazing and talented therapists have set up Instagram pages where they provide ideas for activities that families and professionals can use to help a child’s development of Speech and Motor Skills. We couldn’t be more proud of their hard work and dedication! If you have an Instagram account, please follow their pages.
Don’t have an Instagram account yet? No worries. You can always check out their sto-ries and updates on Facebook. Like and follow our Gulf Central Early Steps Facebook
page.
Follow
tinytotspt
Why Share Your Story? Our stories connect us as human beings. Each of you has a story to tell. Some parts of your story are uniquely yours while other parts are common to most of us. For example:
How did you feel when you first suspected that your child had a disability or delay?
When and how did you find out about your child’s disability or delay?
How did your family become involved in Early Steps?
How do you feel now concerning your child’s disability or delay?
How overwhelmed do you feel with all the new terminology and programs you have to learn about?
Sharing your story may be easy or it may be difficult. Just remember that you can share as much or as little as you like with others. Sharing your story can be a healing exercise that helps as you face your life experiences. An excerpt adapted from “New Star” A Family’s Guide to Navigating Early Steps
Need Help?
Are you looking for a local support or play group?
Do you need emotional support or encouragement from another parent of a child with special needs?
Are you interested in starting a support group or play group but need assistance?
Are you confused about who to call for assistance with health care, childcare, advocacy, and other types of assistance?
Do you want to attend a conference, workshop or training that would benefit your child or family but need help with the cost?
Contact us today! Call or email your Family Resource Specialist for additional resources or
support.
(941) 487-5400 [email protected]
An Early Steps
~ Family Story ~
When I was forty my husband and I decided to try for an-other child. We already had three girls, seventeen, seven, and a one year old. The sonogram said it’s a boy. A new ad-venture for this family, and the pregnancy was an easy one. Labor and de-livery a breeze compared to the girls. It was all going so good until the doctor told us an hour later that he was 99% sure our son Garrett has Down Syndrome and it looks like complications with his heart. Knowing nothing about Down Syndrome we looked at each other and then said “Fix the heart and we will deal with the rest later.” So within a few hours Garrett was off by ambulance to Arnold Palmer Hospital in Orlan-do for heart surgery that was performed eight days later. What a wonderful hospi-tal and staff. We live two hours from the hospital so I stayed with Garrett and my husband visited on his days off. As you can imagine, we had many conversations about Garrett’s future. We wanted to do whatever it took to help Garrett, but determina-tion is not enough when you don’t know where to start. A week after the surgery my husband, who usually is not at home during the day, answered a knock at the door. It was an Early Steps Service Coordinator (SC) who had received a referral from Gar-rett’s doctor. My husband recognized that this person, this Early Steps Angel, was our first step in “Dealing with the Rest.” He invited her in and she explained the pro-gram and said once Garrett was home, the Early Steps staff of professionals would start with an evaluation to determine who would be the best Primary Service Provid-er (PSP) to work with our family. Our first PSP was an Occupational Therapist (OT). She came to our home to teach us strategies and techniques we could use everyday to help Garrett progress. She showed the Garrett’s older sisters different ways they could play with Garrett to help strengthen his muscles, or make funny faces. The whole family had a part in Garrett’s progress. The OT also told us what to look for, and what he will be doing next. Each milestone has been so exciting. Garrett’s Physical Therapist (PT) showed us what to do to help with balance, walking and climb-ing stairs. Early Steps was there when Garrett transitioned into public school, and helped us understand the process. Garrett has come a long way and a big part of his progress was due to the wonderful help and guidance received from the Early Steps family of professionals. Garrett loves music, dancing, playing baseball with the Mira-cle League, his church family, and summer camps. He has been an actor with a Power & Light Productions for 18 years and was in 4-H for 9 years where his rabbit claimed the title of Grand Champion Doe, and his rooster Reserve Grand Champion. Garrett is 23 now and a 2017 graduate from Avon Park High School. He is working with Voca-tional Rehabilitation using Social Security’s “Ticket to Work Program.” We can’t wait to see what’s next. Remember the angel that knocked on our door so long ago? Well, I work with her now as a Family Resource Specialist (FRS), helping the Early Steps families of Highlands and Hardee counties. I love this position. Now I am part of the process of helping families… “Deal with the Rest.”
Authored by Cynthia, Early Steps FRS, and Garrett’s mom.
Blessed Beginnings The Jarrett Family
Birthing Center
AdventHealth Sebring’s breastfeeding classes are consumer-oriented and focused on informing and preparing expectant mothers for breastfeeding. Our instructors are certified lactation consultants with experience in breastfeeding support. A variety of topics are covered, including benefits to work, and community resources.
Classes are held at Creation Health Wellness Center, 4005 Sun ‘n Lake Blvd. in Sebring, across the street from the hospital. Participants may register at the registration desk at Advent Health Sebring. For more information call (863) 402-3405.
Breastfeeding Classes at AdventHealth Sebring November—March 2020
All classes run from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm January 01/21/2020 Tuesday February 02/10/2020 Monday March 03/17/2020 Tuesday
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Support Groups
Highlands & Hardee Counties
Relative & Non–Relative Caregivers
11:30—1:00pm
HARDEE COUNTY — 4th Tuesday of each month
First United Methodist Church of Wauchula
207 North 7th Avenue Wauchula, FL 33873
HIGHLANDS COUNTY — 4th Thursday of each month
One Hope United Center
4343 Sun N Lake Blvd.Sebring, FL 33870
For more information contact:
Debbie LaBeouf Cell: 863 224-8590
www.heartlandforchildrem.org
At Blossom’s Therapy we serve children with challenges. These challenges range from de-veloping or enhancing language skills to functional skills like daily living and self-regulation. The goal of therapy is to increase language and communication skills, improve attention, focus, social skills, memory, and academics. Our board-certified Physical Thera-pists, Occupational Therapists, and Speech Language Pathologists, along with their Assis-tants, work via telehealth, in our newly remolded center, and in their schools.
For more information call (863) 576-9907 Or Visit us @
BestBehavioralSolutions.com
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• Learn about the services and resources • Meet other families • Share ideas and build friendships
Every meeting will be focused on the topics and infor-mation you most care about and need.
Parents of Arcadia Coming Together is a safe place where you can ask questions.
Raising a family is hard work. Having a supportive community helps.
Early Steps Upcoming Events
Please Like and Follow our Gulf Central Early Steps
Facebook page for announcements, local events, and more!
Stay tuned for updates! Follow us on Facebook @ Gulf Central Early Steps
Don’t miss an email or text update! Call 941-487-5400 to make sure we have your
email address on file.
Are you looking to connect with other families who have young children with unique abilities? If so, Coffee Talk is for you!
Join FND and Gulf Central Early Steps for this opportunity to learn tips from experienced parents, find out about local supports, share your story, and build friendships. Every meeting will be focused on
the topics and information you most care about and need. Questions? Challenges? Successes?... They are all welcome!
The MANATEE Playgroup will be
starting up again soon! Keep an eye
on our Facebook page for details.
Spring schedule:
Sarasota January 22nd and March 25th
Chick-fila in the Pelican Plaza
8420 So. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
Charlotte February 19th and April 15th
Kiwanis Park
501 Donora St, Port Charlotte
DeSoto February 26 and April 22nd
Jim Space Park
950 North Arcadia Ave, Arcadia
“Parent Network Connection”
Time: 9:00 -- 10:00 am (PNC Session)
10:00 —11: 00 am (Free Play)
** You must attend the PNC session to attend the free play time**
** There is no charge to enter the museum but space is limited ** RSVP by February 10th to attend. No walk-ins please.
For more information call Cynthia @ (863) 837-0377
When: February 18th 2020
Where: The Children’s Museum
219 Ridgewood Drive Sebring, FL 33870
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IS YOUR CHILD SAFE ON EVERY RIDE??? Are you using your car seat correctly? Do you need a seat and can’t get one for a good price? A nationally certified child passenger safety technician teaches all classes and will also assist you as you install your car seat in your vehicle. Visit www.allkids.org/carseats to schedule a Child Passenger Safety Class in your area.
FACE AUTISM, Inc. provides free sensory friendly activities and events for children with autism and their families in Manatee and Sarasota. Bowling, movies, art, music, holiday events, and more!
Contact: [email protected] Or Call 813-240-3044 www.face-autism.org
COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND EVENTS GUIDE
Among an array of fun and educational programs, Forty Carrots offers Free Community Outreach Services including
“Welcome to Our World” & “Partners In Play” classes. For more information visit: www.fortycarrots.org Call 941-365-7716 Or check with your local library.
HIGHLANDS AND HARDEE COUNTIES Client-Centered Individual, Group, and Family Therapy and Treatment By Appointment Only: (863) 248-3311
Adult and Children’s Services Sebring: Outpatient Therapy Avon Park: Outpatient Therapy Lake Placid: Outpatient Therapy Wauchula: Outpatient Therapy & Psychiatric Services
24 HR CRISIS:
(863) 519-3744
Macaroni Kid is an online resource for families looking for events, playgroups and discounts. Sign up to receive their email newsletter.
Sarasota: www.sarasota.macaronikid.com
Manatee: www.bradenton.macaronikid.com
Highlands: www.sebring.macaronikid.com
Charlotte: www.portcharlotte.macaronikid.com
A Ray Of Hope Support Network
Provides support and hope to parents
raising children with special needs.
www.arayofhopesupportnetwork.org On Facebook: www.facebook.com/arayofhopesupportnetwork
Or Email: [email protected]
Got Kids?
Get a Plan! Find community resource information at
www.wholechildmanatee.com
or call 941-749-3059 Fill out a Whole Child Profile/Questionnaire online to help you
and your family plan for a better future. Over 300 resources in Manatee County to
assist you. Complete a Profile on the Internet, at home or on any Public Access
computer. For assistance in filling out a profile call an Advisor today!
Parents as Teachers Free, voluntary home visiting
program for expecting mothers and/or families with a child
24 months or younger. PAT supports parents
as their child’s 1st teacher. For more information please contact
Desoto and Hardee (863)225-9963 Sarasota and Manatee 941-827-2887 ext. 7811
Manasota BUDS exists to provide a supportive forum for families of children with Down syndrome to network and share. Monthly meetings, events, and parent support.
Contact: [email protected] Or call 941-907-0499
www.manasotabuds.org
The Florida Center serves approximately 800 families each year
through the Healthy Families Sarasota, Healthy Families Charlotte, and Healthy Families Desoto/Hardee
programs. For more information, visit
www.thefloridacenter.org or www.healthyfamiliesfla.org
(941) 371-8820
STRENGTHEN-ING FAMILIES
PROGRAM All families have strengths. This free 14 week program will
help your family become even stronger!
What can the program do for your family?
***YOUTH***
Gulf Central Early Steps is on
Stay up to date on local family-friendly events, news, informative
articles, local resources, fun learning activities, and much more!
We love to hear from our families, so tell us how we’re doing. Feel
free to comment on articles, share ideas, and share your stories.
Search for Gulf Central Early Steps or use our page address:
www.facebook.com/gulfcentralearlysteps