A newsletter from DDI VANTAGE Early Intervention

August 2015

Kevin Morris

After providing 20

years of service to

DDI VANTAGE,

Inc., Kevin Morris,

Executive Director,

retired. Kevin

came to DDI

VANTAGE with

extensive knowledge and experience

working with individuals with

disabilities and Early Intervention.

During his tenure, the number of

staff members grew from about 35 to

over 150 and DDI VANTAGE added

Early Head Start to its programs.

Kevin was extremely passionate and

steadfast in making decisions based

on what is right and best, especially

in regards to providing for employees

and clients. He focused on fi nding

the way to best meet not only the

“letter of the law”, but also the “spirit

of the law”. Managing a non-profi t

organization with multiple funding

sources presents numerous diffi culties

and Kevin’s guidance and direction

provided a solid foundation while

navigating these challenges.

Kevin loves music, especially if it

is on vinyl, from the 60’s, or Gary

Puckett. Additionally, Kevin has

published two books and part of his

retirement plans include meeting with Gary Puckett to write his biography. He was often heard around the offi ce

quoting movies, relating childhood memories, and sharing his nuggets of wisdom.

Even though the work moves on and DDI VANTAGE has a new Executive Director, Kevin will not be replaced.

The foundation he laid will continue to support and inspire us as we promote and provide exemplary services to

facilitate the development and independence of children, adults, and families with special needs.

Congratulations Kevin, you will be missed!

August 2015

August 5

Financial Planning for Families

with Special Needs

East Site 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Child care is NOT provided.

Call to register by August 4.

801-266-3939

August 15

BUFF Activity

EHS Taylorsville, 5287 S. 4015 W.

10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Call 801-268-0056 for additional

information.

August 19

Financial Planning for Families

with Special Needs

Tooele Site 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.

Child care is NOT provided.

Call to register by August 18.

435-833-0725

August 19

Financial Planning for Families

with Special Needs

West Site 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Child care is NOT provided.

Call to register by August 18.

801-957-0855

September 2015September 7

Labor Day

DDI VANTAGE closed

September 12

*Family Fun Day

Starvation State Park, all day event

starting at 10:00 a.m.

Bring your own picnic.

*This is not a DDI VANTAGE

sponsored event. For more information

call the Duchesne County Chamber of

Commerce at 435-722-4598.

September 15

Positive Discipline

East Site 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Child care is NOT provided.

Call to register by September 14.

801-266-3939

September 16

Getting to Know Your Baby

Tooele Site 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.

Child care is NOT provided.

Call to register by September 15.

435-833-0725

September 23

Positive Discipline

West Site 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Child care is NOT provided.

Call to register by September 22.

801-957-0855

Child Care Opportunity

DI VANTAGE Early Head

Start is now enrolling for

services through our Child

Care Partnerships. These partnerships

aim to enrich the environments in

which children explore, play, and

learn, building strong foundations for

a more successful school experience.

Early Head Start benefi ts include:

• Diapers, wipes, and meals provided

for your child at no cost to you

• Teachers with a minimum of

an associate degree in Child

Development

• Teachers work on child development

goals specifi c to your child

• Eight or fewer children per

classroom and 4:1 child to teacher

ratio

• Group activities held quarterly and

opportunities for parent involvement

• Family Advocates provide resources

and support your family’s needs

• School readiness in infants and

toddlers

If you are looking for quality child

care, don’t miss this opportunity! For more information about Early Head Start Child Care Partnerships or to complete an application contact:

Cynthia Toro at (801) 707-1700 or Charles Hofheins (en

Español) at (801) 718-4002.

Supporting Your Child’s Literacy Through Everyday Activities, by Haley Jenson, intern

he biggest lessons in language are learned during your child’s fi rst years of life. Teaching your child language may seem like a daunting task, but there are many ways to provide your child with a fun and interactive

language experience everyday. Simple everyday repetitions and language practice can be done so that both you and your child will enjoy learning language. The following are some ideas of how parents can enhance their child’s language skills and how to take advantage of opportunities in everyday life.

In the car:

• Encourage your children to become familiar with recognizing colors by naming the colors of the different cars that pass by.

• Listen to a CD of stories and rhymes.

• Get everyone involved in singing songs and rhymes aloud in the car, as a family.

• Encourage your children to learn everyday words by pointing out things you see out the window.

Grocery shopping:

• Take the opportunity to enhance your child’s vocabulary by using different words to describe food such as big, small, cold, yummy, etc.

• Name the colors of foods you see or foods you are buying.

• Describe and name the shapes of foods you see in the store.

Bath time:

• Point out things in the bath and add interactive sounds such as: Water “splash, splash,” bubbles “pop, pop.”

• Describe the water in the bath such as hot, cold, warm etc.

• Take the time to teach vocabulary by pointing out parts of the body when washing or drying them.

Everyday tasks:

• When picking up toys name the toy, the color, or the sound the toy makes.

• When doing laundry name the item of clothing and the color of the clothes.

• Say things to describe what you are doing such as: Clean up, put away, take down, etc.

• Go on walks and describe what you see along the way.

These examples are just a few of many. Come up with more as a family or look online to get ideas. By doing these everyday activities children will have the opportunity to learn and grow everyday. There are so many opportunities to help teach your child important literacy and language skills. Take advantage of them and have fun while doing it!

PCMC SIBS Day

rimary Children’s Medical Center is hosting their annual SIBS Day - a workshop for

brothers and sisters ages 5 to 17 who have a sibling with a chronic medical condition or disability. This workshop provides a place where children can express themselves, learn from others and explore new ways to cope. Included again this year is pet and music therapy.

Saturday, September 12, 2015 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Cost and Registration - Early Bird Tuition is $10 (before 8/15/15). Regular Tuition is $15. Lunch is provided. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Registration closes 9/4/15 at 5:00 p.m.

For questions or more information please contact Family Support Services at (801) 662-3701.

Online registration is available at: www.primarychildrens.org/sibs

Open Water Safety

ow is the time to have as much fun as possible while the weather is warm and before school starts. For many, this includes camping and other outdoor activities, especially around water - there’s no easier

way to cool off on a hot summer day. Utah is one of the top ten states for swift water drownings, which means it is especially important to be careful around open water.

Here are a few tips and reminders to help you and your family stay safe around open water:

• Never swim alone, no matter how calm the water is. Even good swimmers can have trouble.

• Children should always be supervised in or near the water. For younger children, keep them at no more than an arm’s length away.

• Do not dive or allow your children to dive until you have thoroughly inspected the depth of the water and checked for objects that may be hiding underneath the surface.

• Ocean swimming should only be allowed when a lifeguard is on duty.

• Be aware of the temperature of the water you are near. In water temperatures of 50° F, hypothermia can onset in 30 minutes. The initial shock of being immersed in 50° F water can cause almost instantaneous cardiovascular collapse in some people.

• Fast moving water will easily sweep the feet from under a full sized adult and conceals rocks, logs, and other objects which a person can be trapped in or dashed against.

• Never go near swift water alone. Once caught in swift moving water or low-head dams it is almost impossible to get out without the assistance of another person.

• If you are caught in swift moving water, roll onto your back and put your feet in front of you to ward off rocks, logs, and other obstacles; try to propel yourself to one side of the stream.

• Call 9-1-1 immediately if anyone is struggling in water.

Visit the American Academy of Pediatrics website for more summer safety tips at www.healthychildren.org/English/news/Pages/Summer-Safety-Tips-Sun-and-Water-Safety.aspx.

had concerns with my son’s speech and language development and scheduling an assessment was easy. The team came to my home and the assessment was thorough and comprehensive. The team went through everything with me including a schedule, payment, and transition to preschool. Even though my son only received services for

about a month before he turned three, he really enjoyed the games and activities he played with Meghan. He is now in a preschool speech class and is doing well.

~Rochelle Horrocks, Salt Lake City

DDI VANTAGE Early Intervention Locations

East:575 E. 4500 S. Ste B210Salt Lake City, UT 84107(801) 266-3939

West:3540 S. 5600 W.West Valley City, UT 84120(801) 957-0855

Tooele County:165 S. Main Ste 200Tooele, UT 84074(435) 833-0725

Duchesne County:10 S. 200 E.Roosevelt, UT 84066(435) 722-3008

� � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � � �Place Label Here

DDI VANTAGE, Inc.565 E. 4500 S. Ste. A220Salt Lake City, UT 84107

Return Service Requested

We happily accept your voluntary donations. We also appreciate in-kind donations such as new baby items, diapers, and toys. Thank you to all of those who have donated to our agency. We appreciate you!

Please accept my donation of $__________________ for the DDI VANTAGE Early Intervention Program.

Date:_________ Name:________________________ Name of child enrolled:_______________________

Address:_____________________________________________________ Phone:____________________

**Your generous donation will be directly available to benefi t the children and families who are served in the DDI VANTAGE Early Intervention Program.

Please mail donations to: DDI VANTAGE 565 E. 4500 S. Ste A220, Salt Lake City, UT 84107

Editor: Charlene Todd • E-mail: ctodd@ddivantage.org • Phone: (801) 266-3979 • Web site: www.ddivantage.orgDDI VANTAGE, Inc. does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age,

sexual orientation, ethnic group identification, ancestry, political beliefs, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status

in its programs, services, activities, or employment.