Author: uwcadmin
UCONN Early Intervention Course with Stipend Starts January 2017!
November 17, 2016
The University of Connecticut, Mary Beth Bruder, is offering a course including a series of 3 modules on early intervention. The course will allow for graduate credit or a stipend, as well as attainment of the CT. Birth to Three Early Intervention Specialist Credential after successful completion of the 3 modules. Please contact Gabriela Freyre-Calish, MSW at 860-679-1563 or freyre@nso2.uchc.edu. Here’s what your colleagues are saying: “This course provides early interventionists with the essential tools needed to understand and apply the research that guides how we provide services to young children and their families.” – Mary Beth McLaughlin (ASD) “I have grown so … Continue reading
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CDI – access to supports
November 3, 2016
Child Development Infoline is a key Birth to Three partner, but also connects people with a much wider array of supports. The United Way, together with the Office of Early Childhood, the Departments of Education and Public Health, has issued an updated reference guide available here. For more information about CDI, or to access their supports go to cdi.211ct.org .
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Infant and Toddler Food FACTS
November 3, 2016
Birth to two years is a critical period for developing healthy food preferences and eating habits and preventing childhood obesity. Baby Food FACTS provides a comprehensive analysis of the nutritional content of food and drink products marketed to parents for their babies and toddlers (up to age 3), the messages used to promote these products, and how well the marketing messages correspond with expert advice about feeding young children. Click Here for the Summary sheet in English Click Here for the Summary Sheet in Spanish .
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New MOU with BESB-DORS
November 2, 2016
The CT Office of Early Childhood and the Board of Education and Services for the Blind, Dept. of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) recently established a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate supports for families of children who have confirmed visual impairment, legal blindness, or are deaf/blind. Please click here for the details and the full MOU.
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Third Party Medical Record Requests
October 31, 2016
Efforts to protect the confidentiality of young patients’ medical records have recently produced requests by at least one large medical center that the B23 provider include a copy of the parent’s photo ID with signature (e.g., driver license) with the signed authorization so that signature verification may be obtained. A per-page fee may also be charged. Here are links to two medical centers’ information and Authorization to Release forms: CT Children’s Medical Center – medical record information Yale New Haven Health – medical record information
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Research Supporting Parent-Led Intervention for Children with Autism
October 28, 2016
As noted in Disability Scoop, for the first time, researchers say they have evidence that parent-led intervention for young kids with autism continues to yield gains several years later. Children who participated in an intervention between the ages of 2 and 4 displayed less severe symptoms six years later, exhibiting fewer repetitive behaviors and better social communication, according to findings published this week in the journal The Lancet.
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New trainings and webinars added to the Calendar
October 28, 2016
Please check out the Birth to Three training calendar for recent additions of trainings and webinars that may be of interest! Some topics include: Annual CT. Down Syndrome Conference with discounted rates for Birth to Three personnel, Fragile X Conference, webinars on dual language learners and gluten-free diets in the pediatric population. The Natural Learning Environments training on November 16th still has a few spots left. Don’t get closed out!
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“Save Birth to Three” Facebook Clarification
October 25, 2016
Despite what some have heard there have been no cuts to the funding of the Birth to Three System. Last year there was a $6 million deficit and the Connecticut General Assembly covered it. This year Birth to Three was allocated the same amount of state funds (a.k.a. “level” or “flat” funded) so there is another shortfall predicted this year. The State has to change how Birth to Three programs are paid, both for families with children who are eligible for Medicaid and for those who are not. The new billing rates have not been proposed yet and will not … Continue reading
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Fragile X Conference SOON
October 11, 2016
Targeting Social Skills and Behavioral Strategies for School, Work and Fun Saturday, November 12, 2016 8:00 am – 5:00 pm University of Connecticut Health Center Farmington, Connecticut Featuring Internationally Renowned Fragile X and Autism Spectrum Disorder Experts Jennifer Epstein, PsyD Licensed Clinical Psychologist Jane Thierfeld Brown, EdD Yale Child Study Jonathan Picker, MBChB, PhD Boston Children’s Hospital $60 per person, which includes breakfast, lunch and a conference binder. CEU credit & Attendance Certificate available on request. Online Registration or http://www.eventbrite.com and search for “Fragile X” Register by October 29, 2016 In lieu of Online Registration, pay by Check, made payable to “NFXF” … Continue reading
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Birth to Three Unsung Hero
October 11, 2016
Many of you may have read or heard about the Office of the Child Advocate’s recent report on Baby Dylan. Dylan was 13 months when he was removed from his biological parents by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and put in a relative placement with a cousin of his mother. In this placement, Dylan was badly abused and neglected, resulting in broken bones, malnourishment and near death. What you may not be aware of is that Birth to Three was involved in this case. A social worker with one of our programs made nine separate reports to the caseworker … Continue reading
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SSIP Evaluation Update
October 3, 2016
FY16 (July 15-June 2016) was last year. Now we are in FY17 and we are reporting to OSEP about what we did in FY16 ……but to them it’s FY15. Sometimes we use FFY 15/ SFY 16 just to be clear because even though the Federal FY and State FY look different, it’s the same year. So what does this have to do with the SPP /APR and SSIP? Well, we are looking at how to summarize what we did during FFY15/SFY16 to reach our State-identified Measureable Result or SiMR. The SiMR is here. On page 52 of this PDF (Phase … Continue reading
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Join in Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of Baby IDEA
September 28, 2016
Colleagues, This October marks the 30th Anniversary of the passage of Public Law 99-457, which established Part C and mandated Part B, Section 619 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). As key partners in improving results and upholding the rights of infants, toddlers, and preschool children requiring early intervention and special education services, OSEP invites you to join in celebrating this important occasion! Throughout the week of October 3-7, 2016, OSEP will run a campaign showcasing many perspectives from the field, including researchers, families, practitioners, and even individuals who participated in early childhood services through Part C and … Continue reading
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It’s Flu Season – CDC update and guidance
September 19, 2016
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued new guidance for the 2016 flu season. This season’s vaccines have been updated to better match more recently circulating influenza viruses. CDC recommends that everyone aged 6 months or older receive an influenza vaccine every year, by the end of October if possible. However, CDC continues to recommend that influenza vaccination efforts continue as long as influenza viruses are circulating in the community. Significant seasonal influenza virus activity can continue into May, so vaccination later in the season can still provide benefit during most seasons. One big change for the … Continue reading
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Rave Reviews for the Provider Support Team and Birth to Three Providers!
September 8, 2016
National experts, Dathan Rush and M’Lisa Shelden, have applauded the strides Connecticut has made in increasing knowledge and implementation of best practice in Early Intervention. Rush and Shelden have been providing annual training and technical assistance to support Connecticut’s Activity-based teaming practices. The Birth to Three Provider Support Team has been providing training and technical assistance to enhance their work. Some of Dathan and M’Lisa’s comments on what they are seeing: “It’s clear that you have been doing A LOT of work to move practices forward in CT” “It’s the first time EVER on the first call that all … Continue reading
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Evaluations and Screenings – OSEP’s View
September 7, 2016
A policy letter was recently issued from the Office of Special Education Programs at the U.S. Department of Education to a parent that clarifies screenings, multidisciplinary evaluations and eligibility. For the details on who, what, when and how, click here.
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A Doctor’s View on Supporting Families
September 7, 2016
Does this sound familiar?? Families do not always agree with research-based recommendations. We do our best to reach common ground and move forward together. Physicians Struggle with Ethics of Barring Families who do not follow immunization schedule “We as pediatricians do so much more than immunize…We teach, we advocate, we role model, and even when parents say no to immunization the first 10 times we bring it up, we bring it up an 11th and 12th time.” Kenneth Alexander, MD, PhD* and Thomas A. Lacy, MD** say the small risk to vulnerable [immune-compromised] children is outweighed by the benefits families get from … Continue reading
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The Faces of Birth to Three
September 1, 2016
Whose faces do you picture when you think of “Birth to Three families”? 😛 😯 😆 I’m asking for your help with collecting photos of real people who receive early intervention supports. Please ask a few families of your choice to send me one or more photos that tell their story. If their photo is selected, I will ask for their consent to use it for Public Awareness purposes, including the FY16 annual report to the Governor and legislature. Preferred photos: child with family member(s), activity based, good lighting and clarity of images, high-resolution digital preferred NO professional portraits please Send photo files/prints to: eileen.mcmurrer@ct.gov with “Faces of B23” in the subject … Continue reading
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Birth to Three Professional Development – New!
August 30, 2016
Assistive Technology: An IDEA Part C Service will be presented by CT. Birth to Three and NEAT Marketplace on October 26, 2016. The training will include a morning session covering AT regulations, procedures, and NEAT supports; and an afternoon session on low tech to high tech communication supports. Register for either or both sessions through the Birth to Three Calendar. Going Deeper Into Natural Learning Environment Practices. If you did not attend last year, take advantage of the knowledge and support for working with families that you will gain in this one day training: an essential training for all individuals working … Continue reading
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DCF Commissioner Katz speaking Sept. 12 in Hartford
August 29, 2016
You are cordially invited to the 14th annual Parents with Cognitive Limitations Workgroup meeting on Poverty and Cognitive Limitations: Research, Policy and Practice Monday, Sept. 12 from 8:30 – 12 noon at The Lyceum, 227 Lawrence Street, Hartford CT. Please RSVP by September 7, 2016 to Mary.Alfano@ct.gov with your name, organization, email and phone number Featured speakers include: Commissioner Joette Katz, Department of Children and Families Joanne Goldblum, MSW, Founder & Executive Director, National Diaper Bank Network Jessica Bartholow, Esq., Legislative Advocate, Western Center on Law & Poverty Megan V. Smith, PhD, MPH, Yale Assistant Professor of Psychiatry Sponsors: Connecticut … Continue reading
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NEAT Marketplace Birth to Three Inventory
August 16, 2016
The NEAT Marketplace inventory for Birth to Three has been recently updated. If you are considering Assistive Technology for a child, make sure to have a consult with a team member from the discipline related to the child’s need, to assess what type of AT might benefit the child. Also, please ensure all borrowed equipment is returned to NEAT so it can go back into inventory! We are a bit low on adaptive seating at the moment. Please check around!!
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