Early Intervention: Birth to 3

Program Overview

Through lectures, readings, and hands-on techniques, students learn about Individual Family Service Plans, service coordination, family-centered practice, and relevant legislation. The program prepares graduates for careers in Early Intervention programs, home visiting services, and other settings where they can directly work with infants, toddlers, and their families.

Program Outline

Early Intervention: Birth to 3 (CH-740-DLHB) | MGH IHP

Degree Overview:

This intensive 4-week course focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of infants and toddlers with developmental delays and disabilities. Through lectures, readings, and discussions, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of Individual Family Service Plans (IFSP), service coordination, family-centered practice, and relevant federal and state legislation. The course also provides hands-on remediation techniques and introduces students to the diagnostic tools used in Massachusetts to determine eligibility for Early Intervention services.

Outline:

Program Content:

• Individual Family Service Plans (IFSP) development and implementation
• Service coordination and collaboration with families and other professionals
• Family-centered practice principles and techniques
• Federal and state legislation related to Early Intervention
• Hands-on remediation techniques for various developmental delays and disabilities
• Diagnostic tools used in Massachusetts for Early Intervention eligibility determination

Program Structure:

• Hybrid format with on-campus sessions on Thursdays from July 18th to August 8th, 2024 (5:30 PM - 8:20 PM)
• Thursdays, 7/18/24-8/8/24, 5:30PM-8:20PM on campus CFS-322
• Program prerequisites
• 2 credits

Modules:

• Introduction to Early Intervention: Birth to 3
• Individual Family Service Plans (IFSP)
• Family-Centered Practice
• Service Coordination
• Federal and State Legislation
• Diagnostic Tools and Eligibility Determination
• Remediation Techniques for Developmental Delays
• Individual Family Service Plans (IFSP): Covers the development, implementation, and monitoring of IFSPs in collaboration with families.
• Family-Centered Practice: emphasizes the importance of working collaboratively with families in all aspects of service delivery.
• Service Coordination: Explores the roles and responsibilities of service coordinators in connecting families to resources and services.
• Remediation Techniques for Developmental Delays: Provides students with hands-on experience in applying evidence-based strategies for addressing a range of developmental delays.
• Ethics and Professionalism in Early Intervention: Examines the ethical guidelines and professional standards applicable to Early Intervention practitioners.

Assessment:

The course utilizes various assessment methods to evaluate student learning, including:

• Class participation
• Written assignments, including case studies and reflections
• A final exam

Teaching:

The course is taught by Jennifer E. Mackey, a faculty member with extensive experience in Early Intervention. The program uses a combination of lectures, discussions, hands-on activities, and guest speakers to create an engaging learning environment.

Careers:

The Early Intervention: Birth to 3 program prepares graduates for diverse career opportunities in various settings, including:

• Early Intervention programs
• Home visiting services
• Public schools
• Hospitals
• Private clinics
• Non-profit organizations

Other:

The course description emphasizes the practical nature of the program, focusing on developing students' skills in directly working with infants, toddlers, and their families. The inclusion of hands-on remediation techniques ensures that graduates are well-prepared to apply their knowledge in real-world situations. The program's emphasis on family-centered practice aligns with the current trends in the Early Intervention field, ensuring that graduates are equipped with the necessary skills to effectively collaborate with families.