Early Development Network
Early Development Network/Services Coordination
Do you have
concerns about the growth and development of an infant or toddler?
If
so, contact us to see if the child is eligible for Early Development
Network (EDN) Services.
Children, birth to age three, may qualify for services if they are not
developing typically,
or have been diagnosed with a health condition
that affects their development.
Early Intervention Services
are a collection of agencies, organizations and individuals
dedicated
helping families with young children who have special needs.
Early Development Network is providing coordinated services for
Scotts Bluff and Banner Counties
Cheyenne , Kimball, Garden and Deuel Counties
THERE IS NO COST TO THE FAMILIES
TO HAVE SERVICES COORDINATION
-
Referrals come from
anyone, with the parents’ permission.
-
Children verify for
services according to verification of a disability according to
Nebraska Department of Education - Rule 51
If you have any
questions or concerns, please call (308) 635-3696 or (308) 254-4677)
e-mail Michaela Nelson at michaela@panesu.org
Early
Intervention Because...
BABIES CAN’T WAIT
WHY
IS EARLY INTERVENTION IMPORTANT?
Babies develop so quickly. Half of theirphysical, social, emotional, and
intellectual growth takes
place in the first few years of life. These early years are the critical
foundation for later learning.
Without early help, even conditions that are mild in the beginning can
become severe as a child grows
older. With early intervention, a child who is developing slowly has a
greater chance of reaching his
or her developmental potential.
WHAT IS Early
Development Network (EDN)?
The
EDN
early intervention system begins with a complete evaluation and
assessment of the child’s
development, at no charge. If the child has a significant developmental
delay or disability, the next
step is to identify the child’s developmental needs and the family’s
priorities for their child.
Appropriate services aredentified and are provided in a manner that
supports parents and other primary caregivers in incorporating
activities throughout the child and family’s daily activities and
routines in order
to increase everyday learning opportunities for each child.
WHAT SERVICES
ARE MADE AVAILABLE?
Every child
enrolled in EDN has an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP), based
on the results
of evaluations, assessments, and the family’s concerns related to their
child’s development.
The plan includes goals for the child and family, services needed to
meet the goals, and resources
available to assist the family with paying for services. Early
intervention services which may be
made available to children and families enrolled in EDN if they are
determined to be necessary
to promote progress toward IFSP goals, include assistive technology,
audiology, family training &
counseling, certain health and/or nursing services, medical diagnostic
services, nutrition services,
occupational therapy, physical therapy, psychological services, social
work, special instruction,
speech-language pathology, vision services, and transportation to
services. Every child enrolled
in EDN also receives service coordination at no charge to assist the
family and other professionals
in developing, implementing, and monitoring the IFSP.
HOW TO CONTACT EARLY DEVELOPMENT NETWORK
Anyone
who suspects a child may be delayed in his/her development can call
Gina Riffel, Services
Coordinator, (Scotts Bluff and Banner Counties)
Nici Johnson, Services Coordinator, (Cheyenne, Kimball, Garden, and
Deuel Counties)
Children can
be referred by families, health care providers, therapists, or anyone
who has a
concern about a child’s
development. Once the have the permission of the child's family.
Planning Region #13
and #14
|
The
team is committed to the development of a process that provides
family centered
and family guided services to young children
with disabilities and their families.
To accomplish this
mission, the following goals must be reached: |
Planning Region Teams (PRT) function as a local
interagency coordinating council.
Community-based advisory groups
consisting of:
-
parents
-
advocates
-
representatives from school districts
-
agencies
-
educational service units
-
Head Start
-
Early Head Start
-
child care, and
-
other relevant persons or agencies
If you have any questions e-mail
michaela@panesu.org
WHEN FAMILIES SERVE AS ADVISORS:
(Thomas,
J. & Jeppson, E.S. (1997),
Words of advice:
A guidebook for families serving as advisors.
Bethesda, MD:Institute for Family-Centered Care.
Benefits for Families
ü It
improves services for my child and for other children.
It provides an opportunity to bring about meaningful change.
It increases opportunities for me to share information with other
parents.
It feels good to make a contribution.
It is satisfying to give back to the system.
It provides opportunities to network with other consumers and providers.
It expands my knowledge and skills.
Benefits for Providers:
It
improves the planning process.
It helps them carry out the mission of the program.
It increases their knowledge and skills.
It helps them do their job better.
It brings fresh perspectives to problems
It provides an ally to advocate for better services for children and
families.
It increases their empathy for and understanding of families.
