Infant & Toddler
Connection of Virginia
MONTHLY UPDATE
March 2021
WHATEVER YOU DO, MAKE IT MEMORABLE!
How One System Celebrated Early Intervention Awareness Month in May 2020!
How Will You Celebrate 2021?
In the midst of a pandemic, one local system turned to the media to get the word out that they were open for business!

Early Intervention Makes a Life-Changing Difference published in Fredericksburg Parent & Family-May 2020 edition urges parents not wait to access services because of the Covid-19.

“We want children to have as many rich experiences as they can in those early years so that they have the greatest depth of synapses and brain connections, so that later on they can pull from that reserve to help them move further forward,” said Alison Standring, Part C Coordinator of the Infant & Toddler Connection of the Rappahannock Area.

From the parent perspective, mother Nicole Jones, whose twins participate in the program 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.”
CHECK OUT THE FOLLOW UP INTERVIEW FEATURING THE TEAM AND PARENT
VIDEOS FROM PARENTS PARTICIPATING IN THE ITC OF RAPPAHANNOCK ON THE BENEFITS OF USING TELEHEALTH FOR EARLY INTERVENTION
In addition to the featured article in Fredericksburg's parent magazine and the follow up interview, the Virginia Association of Community Services Boards (VACSB) highlighted the work of the ITC of Rappahannock for Early Intervention Awareness Month stating:

"VACSB wants to promote the importance of Early Intervention and share that this pandemic has resulted in a decline in referrals to Early Intervention. The good news is that most Early Intervention Systems across Virginia have started providing telehealth, so medical providers should continue to refer infants and toddlers to Early Intervention! 

Just for fun, take this Anonymous Poll!
Does your ITC celebrate Early Intervention Awareness Month?
Yes
No
Governor Northam promotes awareness of Virginia's Early Intervention Program

Let's continue to get the word out to Virginian's about the value of Early Intervention. Submit your activities and ideas here for May 2021 Early Intervention Awareness Month to be shared in April's Update!
BE IN THE KNOW
KYLA SHARES NEW UPDATES ON THE SSIP
State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP)

As we reach the end of our fifth year of SSIP implementation, a lot of exciting work has been accomplished and continues!  COVID has not slowed us down!
2021 FAMILY SURVEY
DAVID KEEPS US UPDATED ON TIMELINE
Annual Early Intervention Family Survey Coming Soon!
Help us to improve Virginia’s Part C early intervention system by encouraging families to share information about their experience!
Submit data to ODU - 2/15/2021  
Flyers begin mailing - 3/1/2021
Wave 1 begin mailing - 3/29-4/5/2021
Wave 2 begin mailing - 4/19-4/23/2021
Calls begin to localities with less than 15 completes - 5/14-5/21/2021
Data cleaning, compilation, and delivery to R. Penfield - NLT 6/28/2021

Input from families today allows us to better serve
families tomorrow.
PET OF THE MONTH
MEET CORI HILL'S BABIES
When I think of Cori Hill there are two songs that come to mind...Everybody Knows Your Name, theme song from Cheers and Jimmy Buffett's Everybody's on the Phone! If you haven't met Cori personally at Kaleidoscope or another workshop, I'm sure you've met her virtually and know her name through her work with Virginia's Early Intervention Professional Development Team. As a trainer, Cori's passion shines through with her extensive knowledge and love for professional development. She's a great trainer and can often be seen dressing the part!

In her personal life, Cori and her family have been rescuing English Bulldogs for more than 30 years. English bulldogs are frequently adopted as adorable puppies without recognizing the specialized (and often expensive) care that this breed requires. This often results, unfortunately, in abuse and abandonment. Cori's current bullies are both two years old and the best of friends. Odie (brown fur) and grandbully, Riley (black fur) are "the sweetest, low key (but loudest snoring!) office mates you could ask for!"

Your home office likely includes a four-legged co-worker.
Let's see them hard at work!
QUESTION FROM THE FIELD
DID YOU KNOW
Approximately 20% of the Medicaid/FAMIS population loses their benefit for a variety of reasons.
Question: What are the responsibilities for EI service providers and service coordinators regarding a child’s insurance coverage?

Are there questions that come up that you would like the answer to or think others wonder the same? We're here to help!
MEDICAID ENROLLMENTS

If you have questions about enrollments for children with Medicaid please contact Keisha White at keisha.white@dbhds.virginia.gov.
EARLY INTERVENTION CERTIFICATION
Have issues with your username or password for Early Intervention Certification?
Please send requests for Early Intervention Certification login assistance to dbhdsproductionsupport@dbhds.virginia.gov

For questions about certification of practitioners, contact David Mills • 804-786-6593
For questions related to completing the online application, contact DBHDS Production Support@cov.virginia.gov 
Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia is part of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services
1220 Bank Street, 9th Floor, P.O. Box 1797, Richmond, Virginia 23219-1797
Main Office: (804) 786-3710 • Main Fax: (804) 371-7959
1220 Bank Street
Richmond, VA 23219
(804) 664-2462