Fredericksburg Parent

www.FredericksburgParent.NET 17 Join us for the live conversation on Stay tuned to the Fredericksburg Parent Facebook page and YouTube channel for a video this month with more information about the Parent Education - Infant Development program at RACSB. Facebook: @fredericksburgparent • Twitter: @FredParent • Instagram: @fredparentmagazine a sk t h e e x p e rt "They are leaps and bounds from where they were to where they are now," she said. Jones, who works full-time, said Early Intervention staff worked hard to fit their visits into her life, scheduling morning visits at her home that could even be conduct- ed while the twins were finishing their breakfast. "The twins love seeing their teacher," Jones said. "They get so excited." PE-ID Educator Stacy McDonald said the focus of the visits is on equipping parents with strategies that can empower them to work with their children to continue their progress every day. "We give them strategies and they run with it. They are the ones doing it day in and day out," she said. "We come in every two weeks and support them to be the champion of their child's progress." PE-ID continues to take referrals and screen new fami- lies during the Covid-19 crisis. Initial assessments and services that were previously provided in-person are now being conducted via Zoom, a licensed and secure video-conferencing platform that is compliant with HIPAA privacy regulations. Initial assessments are conducted by a three-person team that includes an occupational therapist, physical therapist, developmental specialist or speech language pathologist, and a Service Coordinator said Service Coordinator Beth Shultz. "Parents tell us what they want to work toward, and we write their goal around what their concerns and pri- orities are," Shultz said. "We are there to help and provide tools, we are not there to judge. We just want to guide their children, give them the tools they need to help their kids get to where they want them to be, based on their priorities for their family" While the program serves children from birth to age 3, Shultz emphasized that when children turn 3, PE-ID staff will work with them to connect them with the next level of support they need as they grow. She said parents should not think that just because their children are approaching their third birthday, that they can't ben- efit from contacting PE-ID. "Any time a parent has a concern and their child is under 3, we want them to call us," she said. "If we are not going to be the ones to provide services, we will help them figure out where to go." As services moved online due to the governor's stay-at-home order, PE-ID Coordinator Angie Ringersma said she was amazed at how much of a connection specialists were still able to make with families through the videoconferencing software. "I feel like parents are actually more engaged with their providers and their assess- ment teams," she said. From the parent perspective, Jones said the process is as easy as clicking a link on her smartphone, and the added allure of technology holds her children's attention in a whole new way. "It's crucial that they have kept these services going," Jones said. "We are still in a very pivotal stage where we are working on communication, and through this we are able to keep building upon it. We are not losing anything." Standring said parents with concerns about children ages birth to 3 should not hesi- tate to call 540-372-3561 to talk about a screening. Parents who have questions can find developmental milestones posted on the RACSB website at https://rappahan- nockareacsb.org/portfolio/early-intervention/. The Covid-19 crisis should not be a reason to delay making contact. "If parents have any concerns, they should make the call," Standring said. "It can be a 45-day process for families to get in to services. The longer they delay making that first phone call, the longer accessing services is delayed. Every month counts for a child under the age of 3." PARENT EDUCATION – INFANT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM A service of the Rappahannock Area Community Services Board 540-372-3561 877-268-4169 (toll-free) Rappahannockareacsb.org RACSB is celebrating 50 years of serving the community PE-ID continues to take referrals and screen new families during the Covid-19 crisis.

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