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Fewer babies using Early Intervention program
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Posted on Oct 25 2008
The number of children utilizing the CNMI’s Early Intervention program is decreasing, a fact that is worrying the program’s coordinator.
The number decreased from 58 in 2006 to 50 in 2007, said Suzanne Lizama, coordinator for the Public School System’s Early Childhood Special Education. Numbers for 2008 will be ready in December.
Lizama said she is seeing a significant decrease in the number of babies from birth to 1 year old referred to the program.
“The child count numbers are dropping, and I’m not sure why,” she said. “I’m trying to figure out what do I need to do to get out there. It’s not that babies aren’t being born. What are some better ways to reach them? What do I need to do?”
The Early Intervention Services program helps families diagnose and treat children from birth to 3 years old who might be experiencing developmental delays.
Lizama said the ideal time for referrals is after a baby’s initial developmental check by a doctor or nurse. But she is noticing that parents are bringing in their children at age 2 for referrals.
“I often wonder why this wasn’t caught earlier,” she said of babies experiencing delays.
There are several milestones that babies should be meeting, and if they aren’t parents should seek assistance. For example, she said, around 1 year old babies should be starting to stand up and taking steps. And around 1.5 years babies should be putting words together.
She said she is working with other local organizations to brainstorm how she can get the word out about the program. Some ideas are to conduct orientations for new food stamp recipients and present ads on radio and TV. In the past the program has used posters to try to get the word out, but Lizama said this is not always ideal.
“In all my years of experience, I don’t think posters or brochures bring people in. It’s word of mouth.”
Families interested in the services can visit the Child Development Assistance Center. All test are conducted in the baby’s natural environment, she said.
