Family & Human Services: Infants, Toddlers, & Preschoolers

1. Family & Human Services: Infants, Toddlers, & Preschoolers Willa Mack, FACS

2. Alabama's Early Intervention System • A division of the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services, EI provides supports and services for infants and toddlers birth though age 2 (0 to 36 months of age) who have a medical diagnosis that can delay normal development or who have a developmental delay causing the child to not meet developmental milestones. • EI supports and services focus on teaching the parents and other caregivers ways to help the child learn and participate in everyday activities. • Funded by the U.S. Department of Education and Alabama's Education Trust Fund.

3. Alabama's Early Intervention System • To be eligible for services, a child must be between birth and age 3 and experiencing at least a 25 percent delay in one or more of the five developmental areas – communication, physical (including vision and hearing), adaptive, cognitive and social/emotional. • Concerned about child's development, call toll-free Early Intervention Child Find number, 1-800-543-3098. Spanish-speaking families may call 1-866-450-2838.

4. Referral/Eligibility Determination • How does a family become involved in Early Intervention? • Primary referral sources may refer any child suspected of having a developmental delay. • Primary referral sources include mom, dad, pediatrician, child care worker, nurse, grandparent, etc.

5. Alabama Department of Children’s Affairs • Website: http://children.alabama.gov • Motto: “Working together to improve the lives of children” • Dedicated to the well being of children from birth through young adulthood • Highlight the importance and children and their families • Value and promote meeting the needs of children and their families

6. Alabama Department of Children’s Affairs • Advises the Governor and the Legislature in matters relating to the coordination of services for children. • Serves as a liaison between the Governor and state agencies providing programs or services for children. • Educates and informs legislators and other elected officials about issues affecting children. • Prepares and submits for approval and adoption by the Children’s Policy Council, legislation required to meet the unmet needs of children by further development and improvement of children services.

7. Alabama Department of Children’s Affairs • Prepares and submits to the Governor and the Legislature annual reports. • Initiates a network of local and community groups and child advocates to enable organizations to coordinate activities and assist and educate each other. • Actively seeks and applies for federal and private grants to fund children’s programs

8. Office of School Readiness • Dedicated to ensuring that Alabama’s children are prepared for school success and lifelong learning through voluntary, high quality pre-k programs.

9. What is school readiness? • A condition whereby children enter school with: • An enthusiasm for learning, • An ability to function in a social setting, • Age-appropriate communication and problem solving skills, • Age-appropriate physical and emotional skills, and • Optimal health

10. Why high quality Pre-K? • Children who Participate in High-Quality Pre-K: • Demonstrate higher academic achievement • Are less likely to repeat a grade • Less likely to require special education classes • More likely to graduate from high school • More likely to enroll in college

11. Why high quality Pre-K? • Less likely to participate in criminal activity during their juvenile or adult years • Less likely to be victims of child maltreatment or neglect • As adults, are less likely to be unemployed • More likely to have higher earnings than similar students who do not participate in Pre-K • Less likely to depend on public assistance, become teenage parents, or endanger their health by smoking