HOW A MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY PROGRAM PROVIDES A MODEL OF EXCELLENCE IN EARLY INTERVENTION.
SETTING A STANDARD FOR EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION
COURTESY OF MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY
Support for our young children is a community effort, and at Montclair State University, the Ben Samuels Children's Center goes above and beyond for families, through its early care and early intervention services, like the Jeffrey Dworkin Early Intervention Program (JDEIP).
The program is a comprehensive Essex County agency within the New Jersey Early Intervention System (NJEIS), designed to enhance the capacity of families to meet the developmental and health-related needs of children from birth to age three, who have delays or disabilities.
FINDING A WAY: The JDEIP program promotes collaborative partnerships that strengthen and enhance family competence to develop and use lasting networks of natural support.
WHAT IT OFFERS
A support team of consultants in the JDEIP program provides a variety of services reflecting the current best practices in the field of early intervention: developmental intervention, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech/language therapy, social work/family training and support, and bilingual services or translation for non-English speaking families.
These quality therapeutic services are provided in the most natural and comfortable occurring environments - familial homes, childcare settings, community classes, etc. Therapists and practitioners work within the typical routines of families, respect family-centeredness, and advocate for and within consultative transdisciplinary practices.
The program promotes collaborative partnerships among families, the community, health care providers, and schools/ child care programs, that strengthen and enhance family competence to develop and use lasting networks of natural support. It also fosters opportunities for the development of peer relationships with children without disabilities.
Practitioners and therapists working in Early Intervention and providing services at the Ben Samuels Children's Center, work on childrens' individualized outcomes and
strategies, which have been developed for each child by the therapists, classroom team, and family. The outcomes are addressed within developmentally appropriate routines and play activities, that may also include "Floor Time™" and semi-structured activities in the context of the inclusive routines during the school day.
ABOUT BEN SAMUELS CHILDREN'S CENTER
The Ben Samuels Children's Center at Montclair State University is a model of excellence in the inclusive early care and education of children from 3 months through 5 years. Some children who are enrolled at the Ben Samuels Children's Center also receive early intervention services.
Through NJEIS, therapists partner with service coordinators, families, and teach
ers, and are committed to examining and implementing the best practices of teaching and learning in a nurturing environment, where neuroatypical children, children with special needs, or diagnosed disabilities can learn, play, and grow alongside their same-age peers.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Families who may have concerns about their child(ren)'s development, if they are under the age of three, can contact the New Jersey Early Intervention System (NJEIS) statewide referral service at 888-653-4463.•
Individuals interested in learning more about the programming or enrollment at the Ben Samuels Children's Center may call 973-655-7177 to speak with the enrollment coordinator or send a message to childrenscnt@mail.montclair.edu