Over these past two weeks I was so lucky to have two of the specialists come to visit my center; the Mental Health and Disabilities Specialist and the Health and Nutrition Specialist. I had actually requested the Mental Health and Disabilities Specialist so that we could meet with one of my students families to discuss some concerns. Since last year I have been concerned with a young students development and have shared these with the specialists. Unfortunately the girls parents have been slower on following through with what they have stated is a concern for them as well. We have met numerous times to express how the Head Start program can connect the family to the school system but they wanted to go through their pediatrician to address some concerns first. This student will be entering into kindergarten next school year and I am highly concerned with her ability to be successful without some supports in place. The questions that I had for the specialists is what would be our next step; I really want this family to feel their child is capable but she will need support. All of us have a suspicion of her being on the Autism spectrum and although we have seen growth in her development she is still not close to being independent. When we met with the mother of this child the specialist was able to explain to her the process of trying to get the family connected to the school system. The student came to me last year at the age of three with an IEP in place for speech concerns. I am not sure how she did it but she passed the developmental screening that was administered. This child could not feed herself, had no play or social skills, and would not even sit and focus on any activity that was presented to her. The specialist explained to me that because she had a passing she was not able to complete another assessment for a full year; which the deadline just passed in the fall. The importance of having another assessment completed so address a higher age range and expectations was shared with the mom; who was not aware that what the test will be looking for changes as the child gets older. One great thing that came out of the meeting was a sense of team; we all want to see this child progress even more and by keeping each other informed we are in the right direction.
The Health and Nurtition specialist happened to stop by yesterday to complete a file review. While she was there we got into a discussion on how the children in the Head Start program have an advantage over those not in a program from our community. We are in the recruitment phase for next school year and were brainstorming ideas on how we can catch perspective families attention. I know when I entered into this program I was not aware of just how important a child's dental health was to their development. I had worked with families that had medical insurance and their children's needs were always met. Just the dental health of the families and children that we have in our program show how limited their access is. Our Head Start program has been lucky to have a dental mobile come to our site and do an exam on every child that had not had a currrent dental exam the first five years I have been there. This is the first year that there has been no funding this but the local dental clinics are beginning to see how dedicated we are and have allowed us to schedule visits with them. In the past they have declined Medicaid or medical card patients because appointments are often not kept. Our Family Service Worker has transported 9 children and families to dental appointments so far this year!
My Head Start program is the only option for parents of children ages 3 to 5. We do not have any child care centers, only one home based child care provider, and no preschool option in the local elementary school. In the town next to ours they just brought in a preschool program at the elementary school and they collaborated with our other Head Start site. I know the children are in my community we just have to show parents how much we can offer them; not just a "free baby sitter".
A challenge that I am finding is that based off past employees and incidences our current program is struggling. I have had parents tell me that they were not going to send their child until they realized certain past staff members were gone. I have been here six years now and I am trying to prove myself over employees from ten years ago or longer. That is difficult in a small community! The new Site Administrator has lived in this community her entire life and she now understands that we are facing an uphill battle but one we are dedicated to overcoming. The children deserve it and the families can definitely benefit from it!
This can be a challenge trying to correct something that happen years ago. I understand that in a small town it can really be a challenge. People tend not to forget. I admire you and the administrator for all of your hard work and concern not only the children,but for the program.
ReplyDeletePerhaps, you can have an open house to the community, place an full page ad in the local newspaper, have a family and friends day at the local park. Invite an photographer to take family pictures, have a big bbq. We do some of the same activties, we just add new things to them, give away gas cards, dollar store gift cards. We can't give up, there are so many children that are out there that are not in anyone's program. The sooner we get the children in a program the better. The program will be able to observe and see that a child may need to be asses. We know that intervention needs to start early in a childs life, if she/he needs help in any area.
I know that dental health is so important to a young child's overall health. It is too bad that many companies do not help assist with those costs. I think that is a huge reason why many people skip that source of health. It can be very costly and many families don't have the extra resources to cover it. It also does not help that many dentists do not take the medical card. Not only do they have to worry about people not keeping their appointments, but the government does not pay their bills for so long that the dentists can't afford to wait to get the payment. It is a difficult situation. It is wonderful how your Family Service Worker transports students to their dental appointments. It is true testament to the commitment that many of these people have to these young children. I believe that is something that you should be sure to point out to your community that the level of service you all provide goes above and beyond the norm.
ReplyDeleteProving your self when you have had bad staff will be a challenge. Just keep trying to fill the parents needs will help. Are their any churchs that can help out with services such as food pantrys,ESL classes things you can make a community connection on?
ReplyDeleteDental health is amazing. We have parents who dont buy in to this and since it is Head Start, they can refuse but then we need to have a meeting and show a video on how poor dental health can lead to brain damage on the most extreme level.
Hang in there and keep doing good.
It's so hard for parents to accept a child who is handicapped especially when their child is at such a young age. Identifying kids that are autistic and having parents accept this condition is very difficult especially if they have Asperger's or if the child went through normal milestones and stopped moving through typical stages of language development. Again, it's a process - where is the pediatrician on this one?
ReplyDeleteI have not been told what the Pediatrician feels but I do know that my Mental Health and Disabilities Specialist had the parent sign a Release of Information so that we can talk to them. I will have to ask her if she has made that contact yet.
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