Module-2 Blog Journal

Mary Grady URL Blog: http://gradylmary.blogspot.com/
Module 2: Blog Journal
Advocacy 411: Early Intervention
Name: Observicng and Interaction with professionals and colleagues in a setting
Date: January 26, 27, 2012
Name of the Program: St. Vincent Depaul Child Care Center/Infant & Toddler section
Who I spoke with: one of my co-teachers, teacher in infant 's classroom and two's parents
The program I did my field work research is being done at a centered-based child care center. This center has beeen awarded accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). The environment of the center was very warm, friendly and caring for the children and families.

After sitting talking and observing with everyone I learned that there is a need to better conduct the EI screening for example have someone the child is familiar with present during the screening and to train teachers to administer these screenings. This process will result in a more accurate result due to the child being comfortable with the adult. Another option that was suggested that would lead to accurate assessment of young children would be if the screener/tester could spend time prior to administering the assessment familiarizing him/or her with the child. But I know this is not always possible so one teacher proposed having the screener provide teachers and parents with a tip-sheet that would help the children feel comfortable withthe process.

I observed a child name Tristan (not child real name) he is 26 months. I could see much needed early intevention for this child for example his social and emotional skills did not foster cooperation and interdependent relationship. I talked to a couple of parents in the morning asking different questions many said they would like to be invloved in the process but many did not know how early intervention work. Families, most particularly parents are vital participants in early intervention programs, both at an organizational level, determining policies and scope and at the individual level where they are intimately involved in determing the EI services that their own child will receive (http://www.naset.org/earlyintervention2.0.html).

I know there will be challenges, questions and conerns about early intervention and parents will ask them but one stood out when it was said to me; Keeping staff informed, there are times when we are NOT openly communicating, therefore we are NOT serving our famikies and children to the fullest. I found a website where you can ask many questions or concerns you may have and get answers. This website was set-up by Tara Deringor and Julie Hudak both are licensed physical therapist, Thereapeutic Early Intervention Service Inc. at http://www.teisinc.com/.  What I have learned about this experience talking to other individuals in the field has helped me to really want to research and advocate for Early Intervention. One thing that stand out in my mine is; Early intervention enhance gowth in children and it makes a big different in their lives.

First Interview Blog

Mary URL BLog: http://gradylmary.blogspot.com/
Module One: Becoming an Advocate
Mary Grady
Advocacy 411: Early Intervention

I am thinking of focusing my research paper on the following area: Early Intervention for zero to three year old. Some of the related topics I will discuss will be the importance of early intervention to young children. For my first assignment I interviewed the Family Support Specialist at my center and our Special Educational Consultant that comes into the center once a week. The insight I gained from my interview regarding EI; there is a need for the service in our area where I work. N.K. and L.S. spoke about how there is a need to develop a process that is better understood by our parents, finding ways for families to be effectively involved in the process and trying to help them to understand the process.

The insigth I gained from my interview regarding current advocacy efforts and needs in my area of interest is we have so many issues concerning Early Intervention; for finding ways to indentify the delays of the children, understanding the process of the brain during the process and the economy impact on the system if Early Intervention is started at a early age.

After my interview with L.S. and N.K. their information has influence me to do my research paper on Early Intervention for zero to three year old: (1) How/who refers children to Early Intervention, (2) do parents/school know about the different free service available and (3) communication/keeping staff informed.

Questions I would like my followers to answer for me are: How do you help parents to know that service is available for their child? How do you finbd ways to get your upper management to hear your cry about a child? How do you get Social Service to share information about children with behaviors? How do we finds ways to infomr and education our parents? Will have more later.

After all is said and done myinterview was very interestin and knowledgeable. I think it is critical to identfiy children while we can and get the help during their critical years zero to three in development. We need to develop a solid system that will easily identify children in need of service and make referrals early on so they receive adequate referral and are followed throuhg and we can keep a track of them in the system. Ms. N.K. explain the social service department at my school is trying to set a new program, I am going to be involved in the work of trying to set this up.

After sitting talking to these ladies about how important E I is to the development of children zero to three, thir has really influence me to research and find help to help young children and their families about E I.There is really a need for this.

The gae group I will concentrate on will be infants to three.
The websites I will use to compile my information at this time adding other later on: www.dhs.state.il.us/e/ http://www.zerotothree.org/, http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/dap

Sisie, Do I have my feeder set-up?

My first week

This has been a very haed scratching, I really do not know what I have gotten myself into. I need this class to graduate but I am not a computer wiz.

module 1

Hi I am Mary Grady, I live in Oak Park I finally did it.