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Infant & Toddler
Connection of Virginia
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Introducing...
THE ALL NEW
WEBSITE!!!!
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Virginia's new Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia website has launched! Check it out at https://itcva.online.
Early reviews have been extremely positive:
"Love it! Everything has a place. This is easy to navigate and I can't wait for families to see it."
"It’s so pretty!!! Yay!"
"AWESOME WEBSITE! The narrative about LSMs and who we are, touched me today as it is my 10th anniversary as a LSM."
Some highlights of the new site include:
- A REFERRAL link clearly visible in the header on every page;
- The new RESOURCE LIBRARY brings together all current early intervention documents and forms in one centralized location;
- Our FOR FAMILIES section anticipates questions that families may have about early intervention and how to access services; and
- Sections for the VICC, SSIP and PUBLIC REPORTING are clearly identified and easily accessible.
We invite you to explore the new ITCVA website and provide feedback. A website should make things easier for its visitors; if you have an idea for enhancing a visitor's experience, feel free to share it. You will find a Website Feedback Form (under About ITCVA in the navigation menu) to electronically submit comments, corrections or suggestions to our office.
Happy web surfing!
P.S. - The navigation menu (and the entire Squarespace platform itself) is responsive to screen size. If you see only several stacked lines on the right side of the header, try enlarging your browser window by either dragging the edges or making it full screen. You will also want to take a look at the website on a mobile device. It looks great and functions extremely well.
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HAPPY EARLY INTERVENTION AWARENESS MONTH |
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The staff at the Part C office of the Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia thank you for sharing your commitment, passion and talents to the more than 20,000 families served each year across the Commonwealth.
You Truly are Virginia's Amazing Early Intervention team!
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CELEBRATING YOU
You are Early Intervention!
When we talk about Virginia’s early intervention system—our network of programs and services stretching from the farthest corners of southwest Virginia to the sandiest stretches of the eastern shore—what we’re really talking about is you.
Every day in Virginia more than 1,000 early intervention service coordinators, therapists, developmental service providers and program administrators contribute their time and expertise to improving the lives of infants and toddler with disabilities and their families. They are early intervention. You are early intervention!
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Larissa Mellnick is an Early Intervention Service Coordinator serving the Roanoke Valley and Central Virginia ITC systems. Larissa has been providing resources and tools to families via telehealth throughout the pandemic. She uses her years of early intervention experience to support families as they navigate the diagnosis and addresses their concerns and priorities along the way. Larissa builds great rapport with her families (even over telehealth) and is looking forward to empowering families face-to-face again soon!
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Lindsay Taylor is a Developmental Services provider who works with the Henrico, Richmond City and Roanoke Valley ITC systems. She uses her background in Music Therapy to coach families through strategies to support their child(ren). She empowers the families to gain the confidence and knowledge to help their children achieve the goals they set in place for them. She supports the family as they work through a (sometimes new) diagnosis. She has been working via telehealth since the COVID-19 health crisis and is anxious to get back to some in-person coaching!
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Larissa and Lyndsay are being highlighted by Emily Amerson, the Early Intervention Program Manager for Easterseals UCP of NC & VA. These two Frontline Superstars wore blue for World Autism Awareness Day in hopes to bring acceptance and awareness to those on the Autism Spectrum.
About Emily:
Emily brings her passion and love for EI to her team as they work to build relationships with resources in the area that can support families impacted with Autism. Even though having the conversation of seeing some “red flags” is tough, Emily feels it is an important part of the role of a service coordinator. "Educating the families on Autism Spectrum Disorder can help them can begin the process of acceptance. The earlier we bring awareness to the family, the sooner they can receive the services needed to support their child."
Emily’s favorite part of early intervention is the empowerment of the families. “There is nothing better than seeing the growth in confidence when they have success with strategies. It makes my heart so happy to see caregivers feel good about themselves!”
Emily lives in Franklin County VA with her husband and two boys. She has a little hobby farm of goats, chickens and a turkey.
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CORAkids Hosts a Virtual Event to Celebrate EI Awareness Month
Saturday May 22 from 9am-12pm
This is a virtual event, any EI provider or family in the state can join in. EI therapists and service coordinators will be presenting and leading discussions on topics pertaining to early intervention. To register email Gabrielle Burns at gburns@corahealth.com.
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Virginia Parent Shines Spotlight on Late Onset Hearing Loss with New Book and Nationwide Awareness Campaign
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that nearly 15% of children ages 6-18 years of age have some degree of permanent hearing loss. Infants and young children who acquire hearing loss after birth are at increased risk of speech, language, cognitive and developmental delays and social/emotional problems. This is because their hearing loss goes unidentified at a time when their brains are ripe for language acquisition. Some studies suggest that Late Onset Hearing Loss in young children may be as common, or perhaps more common, than congenital hearing loss, but the available data on this population is limited.
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Late Onset Hearing Loss Awareness Week was established in May 2021 by Virginia parent Valerie James Abbott who knows first-hand the consequences of unidentified hearing loss. Her daughter Bridget (Bridie) mysteriously lost her hearing as a toddler and it led to significant language delays. The objective of this new awareness campaign is to:
- Emphasize the importance of ongoing hearing health monitoring of all children, but especially those with specific risk factors and those demonstrating any developmental delays.
- Improve social, emotional and academic outcomes for all deaf and hard-of-hearing children.
- Connect families of children with hearing loss to helpful information and resources, especially families who cannot afford the out-of-pocket costs for hearing aids or other hearing technology.
- Celebrate the potential of every child who is deaf and hard of hearing by highlighting stories of hope from families and providers.
Additionally, Valerie’s debut children’s book Padapillo, which is based on how her family discovered and came to terms with their child’s hearing loss, will be published on May 4, 2021. Endorsed by the CDC Act Early Ambassador for Virginia, Deana Buck, and Justin Osmond, CEO of the Olive Osmond Hearing Fund, Padapillo serves as a story of hope and a resource tool for providers who support families of children who are deaf and hard of hearing to offer parents early on in the journey. |
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CELEBRATING COMMUNITY PARTNERS |
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Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired finds creative ways for DBVI's Education Services program to provide services.
Six Education Coordinators provide services to approximately 2,400 children in the Commonwealth who are blind, vision impaired, and deafblind and who may also have other disabilities. DBVI provides:
- A Tactile Quilt to families they serve as a way to stimulate exploration and sensory development. The Tactile Quilt can also be used as a coaching tool for parents and can be used by OT's and PT's when working with the child to enhance developmental activities.
- Virtual and/or face to face assessments of children, adaptive materials and equipment, and consultation with those professionals working with the child and family.
- Educational programs and family outreach activities. Many individuals in the Commonwealth may not be aware that the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired exists, let alone provides services for children/students and their families.
For more information:
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The Center for Family Involvement (CFI)
at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) has supported families of children who are deaf/hard of hearing or deafblind (DHH/DB) for 13+ years.
CFI and ITCVA are seeking to strengthen the support families receive when they first learn their child is DHH/DB by connecting the 1-3-6 Family Educators directly to families and their LEIS. 1-3-6 Family Educators:
- are family members, typically mothers, of children who are DHH/DB. They have lived experiences navigating language choices and acquisition, and the Part C and B worlds.
- provide unbiased parent to parent support at a time when parents are making decisions that are right for their own child and family.
- partner with the EHDI program to educate hospital newborn hearing screeners, audiologists, and early interventionists providing seamless support to families from birth, throughout early intervention and beyond.
For more information:
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CELEBRATING OUR SUPPORTERS |
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Governor Northam Promotes Awareness of Virginia's Early Intervention Program |
At his discretion, the Governor will issue proclamations and certificates for noteworthy state or local events that deserve special recognition.
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KYLA SHARES NEW UPDATES ON THE SSIP |
State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP)
Things are hopping in SSIP-land! We have updates on activities related to our current SSIP and our planning for the new SSIP that’s due to OSEP by February 1, 2022.
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MEET BRANDIE AND HER THERAPY DOG IN TRAINING |
Hi there, my name is Brandie Kendrick. I work for the Infant and Toddler Connection of Danville-Pittsylvania County. My journey in Early Intervention began in March 2016 when I was 7 months pregnant with my second daughter. While going on home visits and learning all about Early Intervention while very large and pregnant was not ideal, I would not change my initial experiences in EI for anything. After learning on the job very quickly I found my happy place in completing initial intakes and assessments. In 2019, I was promoted to a Lead Case Manager position with our agency. My role now consists of supervising the Part C team of service coordinators as well as calling all new referrals and completing Initial assessments. I enjoy being the first person to share Early Intervention with a family. I find this both challenging and rewarding. Outside of work, you can find me chasing my daughters, writing for my blog, and playing guitar.
Ella Mae is four month old Goldendoodle puppy. She has a very special job for our family. Ella is a service dog in training. Her training is unique in that she will remain with our family throughout all of her training. This has been a big blessing to our family, specially my daughter. Eventually, Ella will be trained to help our daughter during some of her sensory meltdowns. Deep Pressure Therapy is a task that some services animals are trained to help provide pressure to children and adults during their overwhelming moments. Ella has weekly one-on-one training sessions, weekly group training sessions and will have several board and train opportunities with Wagmore Training Services. What we have loved so very much about this experience, is that our 8-year-old daughter participates in these training sessions and is able to build a bond with our Ella doo.
Felisha or “Fe Fe” as we call her, is a five year old rescued Yorkie. She came into our lives in 2017 as a shy and scared puppy. It was only after several months of living with our family that we realized that Fe Fe has a very special talent. Fe Fe plays soccer. She will chase a soccer ball for hours in our backyard. She will defend her ball, scoot it across the yard and is able to jump in the air to boop it with her nose when we toss it up.
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Your home office likely includes a four-legged co-worker.
Let's see them hard at work!
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Question: For a child whose family is interested in transition to the public schools, do you have to send the notification before you have the transition conference with the school system?
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Are there questions that come up that you would like the answer to or think others wonder the same? We're here to help! |
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EARLY INTERVENTION CERTIFICATION |
Have issues with your username or password for Early Intervention Certification?
For questions about certification of practitioners, contact David Mills • 804-786-6593
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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
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1220 Bank Street
Richmond, VA 23219
(804) 664-2462
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