Page 8 - Head Start Annual Report 2021-2022
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LIVES CHANGED services to this new virtual environ- Marcus is three and a half now,
and aged out of EI after making
ment, Marcus and Ana’s world was
THROUGH EARLY changing, too. Ana fould herself at tremendous progress. If you asked
Ana, she would tell you that her
home with her son full-time, as a
INTERVENTION AND single parent. Together, EI and Ana EI team is responsible for all this.
However, throughout Marcus’ time
completed a virtual evaluation and
soon began virtual visits with a team in EI, the team providers on the case
COLLABORATION of EI therapists designed to address credited Ana as the one responsible
Ana’s concerns. The team included for Marcus’ successes.
Marcus was referred to Early an Early Interventionist, Dietitian, Oc- Marcus’ story is full of positive
Intervention (EI) in February of cupational Therapist, Physical Ther- outcomes. He participates in daily
2020, shortly before the COVID- apist, Speech-Language Pathologist activities at home, like eating regular
19 pandemic changed everyone’s and an Interpreter. The collaborative meals and helping out with simple
worlds. At 16 months of age, relationship that the EI providers tasks. He plays and communicates
Marcus had not met many typical developed with Ana during the intake with his parents and others. He
developmental milestones. His process supported her to be able to continues to receive services now
mother, Ana, a former infant-toddler discuss her concerns with the team. provided through the school
teacher, recognized behaviors The team used creative strategies department and his Individualized
in Marcus that seemed atypical along with Ana to learn what worked Education Plan. The best part of
for a child his age. He was not for Marcus. They all listened to Ana, Marcus’ story is not just the posi-
tolerating solid foods and seemed guided her through the setbacks tive outcomes, but rather the way
overly sensitive to sounds. Ana and celebrated each milestone those outcomes were achieved. Ana
and Marcus’ pediatrician made the with Marcus. showed her dedication by trying out
decision to seek additional support strategies and offering feedback,
from the EI program at Children’s As their work continued, Ana and and being open to share her strug-
Friend. The EI program serves the team pursued further evaluation gles and triumphs with the team,
families with children under three for Marcus, which led to an Autism and the EI team was right there with
who have diagnosed or suspected Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis. her. Together, Ana and Marcus’ EI
developmental disabilities. As a result of that diagnosis, Ana team learned and played; they tried
and Marcus were able to participate
Less than a month after Marcus was in an innovative virtual occupation- things out, and they supported each
referred to EI, the COVID-19 pan- al therapy group that offered Ana other. That intensive collaboration
demic forced all Early Intervention opportunities to learn with other led to those beautiful outcomes and
services to switch from in-home, parents. The team also helped Ana demonstrated that the new ways of
face-to-face meetings to virtual visits to find a dentist and new pediatrician working, developed during COVID-
and phone calls. While the Early In- for Marcus. At what was undoubtedly 19, would work to support families in
tervention team worked to transition any environment.
a very vulnerable time for any parent,
Ana was able to lean on her Early
Intervention team for information,
resources, and support.
[ 8 ] INNO VAT ION + T E A M W OR K = S T R ONG FA MIL IE S
