1. What should I do if I have a concern about my child's
development?
You are in the best position to observe your
child and report what your child is doing. Trust your instincts.
If your child’s development worries you, don’t
wait. Talk with your health care professional or call Help
Me Grow yourself at 216-736-4300.
-back to top-
2.
What is an evaluation?
Help Me Grow provides free evaluations and
assessments to help you determine if your child has a delay
or what programs might be best suited for your child if your
child has a disability. The evaluation will involve a team
of professionals who work with you to evaluate your child’s
growth in the different areas of development.
-back to top-
3.
What is a Service Coordinator?
A Service Coordinator is an individual who
can assist your family in coordinating the services that will
me your needs. The Service Coordinator will talk with you
about your needs, concerns, and supports. The Service Coordination
knows about community resources and is a wonderful resource
for your family.
-back to top-
4.
What is an Individualized Family Service Plan?
The Individualized Family Service Plan (known
as the IFSP) is used in Help Me Grow to outline your family’s
needs, goals, objectives and action steps to meet the needs
of your young child and family. The IFSP contains the agreed-upon
services necessary to enhance the development of your child
and family.
-back to top-
5.
What are specialized services?
These services for infants and toddlers with
developmental delays or disabilities are designed to identify
and help a child as early as possible. Federal law (IDEA,
Part C) identifies a range of services.
Click here for a list of services
-back to top-
6. What is the cost of the
services?
The basic services that are available to families
at no cost through Help Me Grow include:
· Developmental screenings
· Developmental evaluation and assessment
· Development and review of the Individualized
Family Service Plan
· Service Coordination
· Family Support opportunities
· Transition services
The specialized services, which you can be linked to, are
subject to a system of payment, fees, or use of private insurance.
Your Service Coordinator will assist you in determining services
and help you identify financial resources. click
here for a list of specialized services
-back to top-
7. What happens when my child
turns three years old?
Help Me Grow services are provided to a child
until their third birthday. The Service Coordinator will
discuss transition options with you when your child is two
and half years old. The Service Coordinator will provide
information about a variety of services for children age
three and over so that the needs of your child and family
can be met beyond the Help Me Grow years.
Children age three and over may be eligible for Public Special
Education Preschool services. The Service Coordinator will
provide information about how to request a Multi-factored
Evaluation to determine if your child is eligible for services
provided through your school district. Your local school
district can be contacted directly if you have questions
about the services that they offer. Click
here for local school district contact information
-back to top-
8.
What is the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act?
This is the federal regulation that defines
services for children birth through 22 who have developmental
delays or disabilities. Part C of this Act defines services
specifically for Infants and Toddlers. For more information
about this federal law, click
here.
-back to top-
9. Are there other parents
I can talk to if I have a question?
Family Support in Help Me Grow provides families
with the opportunity to talk with other families who are now
or have received Help Me Grow services and who may share similar
experiences and concerns. A Family Support Specialist can
provide you with additional support through phone calls, community
outreach, and parent support groups and playgroups. Click
here for Family Support options-- FS specialist page
or PDF form? Both?
-back to top-
10.
Where can I find more information about young children with
special needs?
Many
websites are available for information about young children
with special needs. You can involve your health care professional
in helping you access information. Your local library will
also be a good resource.
Click here for a list of websites
that might be helpful.
-back
to top-
