Inclusion Services by the Y is proud to introduce our new Family Connections service. Our Connections Coordinator will be a point of contact working closely with our Children’s Services to support families where there are concerns around a child’s development or the child has received a diagnosis.
Support will be provided to families to navigate early intervention services and available funding, in particular access into the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) if eligible .
What is Early Intervention?
Early intervention is specialised support for children 0-6 years with diagnosed disability, developmental delay and other additional needs. The aim of early intervention is to target specific needs of the child at the earliest possible stage to build their capacity and reduce the likelihood of requiring long term supports.
There are five key areas of a child’s development that early intervention focuses on:
- Physical (body and brain)
- Cognitive (thinking and learning)
- Behavioural (behaviour and how it’s affected by physical and cognitive development)
- Social and emotional (ability to form relationships and cope with emotions)
- Communication (speaking, listening, comprehension, body language)
The NDIS has Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) Partners who are a specialist team of professionals who work with children 0-6 years to complete screening assessments for concerns about a child’s development.
The Early Childhood Partner will discuss the types of supports that are available to you short term and where required longer term for your child to develop skills and participate in their local community. If eligible, the Early Childhood Partners will also assist you to access the NDIS.
The Early Childhood Partner for City of Whittlesea and City of Melton is The Brotherhood of St Laurence.
For referral to our Family Connections service or to find out more please speak to your kinder/childcare or call our Connections Coordinator Maxine on 03 8408 6704.