Family FocusA newsletter from DDI VANTAGE Early Intervention

March 2017

Focus on Staff

Jennifer Moore

Jennifer is a new Family Service Coordinator for our Tooele Site. Her previous experience includes working in ! nancial,

customer service, and child care industries. She has completed some college working toward a surgical technician degree.

Sandy Munoz

Sandy is our new Program Services Specialist; she works with all Early Intervention sites. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in

Communications and also has a Preschool Director Certi! cation. She has worked in Early Child Development for the past 8 years.

Bonnie Naegle

Bonnie is a new Classroom Assistant substitute, so you may see her in our Play ‘n Learn classrooms helping out on

occasion. She has an Associate of Applied Science degree in Business.

Calendar of Events

March 2017

March 7Teaching Appropriate BehaviorsEast Site 5:00–6:00 p.m.Call to register by March 6. 801-266-3939

March 8Early Communication for Ages 0–3Tooele Site 10:00–11:00 a.m. Call to register by March 7.435-833-0725

March 15Teaching Appropriate BehaviorsWest Site 5:00–6:00 p.m.Call to register by March 14. 801-957-0855

All Learning Link classes are open to the public and free of charge. Classes are geared to parents with children under the age of three. Child care is NOT available.

April 2017

April 11Teaching Appropriate BehaviorsDuchesne County Site11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.Call to register by April 10. 435-722-3008

April 11Early Communication for Ages 0–3East Site 12:00–1:00 p.m.Call to register by April 10.801-266-3939

April 12Power of PlayTooele Site 10:00–11:00 a.m.Call to register by April 11.435-833-0725

April 19Early Communication for Ages 0–3West Site 5:00–6:00 p.m.Call to register by April 18.801-957-0855

Follow us for upcoming events at www.facebook.com/DDIVANTAGE.

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Focus on Thanks

When my child was ! rst referred to DDI VANTAGE, I was so afraid of what her chances of recovering and catching up on her milestones really were. She received such a thorough evaluation

and I felt so much trust in that team. She’s been with DDI VANTAGE for two years now and has not only caught up on her milestones, but she’s beyond her years. My deepest thanks to thanks to Carrie Bott, her provider. Carrie is the best provider we could ever have. She is so skilled and experienced, sensitive, attentive, and helped us with every single step of the way. We love you forever, Carrie! # ank you DDI VANTAGE for everything.

~Anonymous family served by the East Site

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Focus on Health & Safety

� e “Pack ‘n Go” File

Have you ever wished that you had those important papers about your child when you

have been at the hospital, doctor’s o� ce, or a meeting for your child? If so, the “Pack ‘n Go” � le is for you!

To start you “Pack ‘n Go” � le, you will need an inexpensive � le holder (one you can take with you) and some manila � le folders. Use headings that will meet the needs of your child. Suggested headings for your � les include:

• Consent forms

• Evaluation reports

• IFSP

• Contact logs and meeting reports

• School reports

• Medical records

• Financial records

• Clinic screenings (vision, hearing, PCMC)

• Calendars

• Health (immunization records)

• Letters (from DDI VANTAGE, parent handbooks, etc.)

• Album (show your child’s progress through his or her pictures)

Ask for copies of your child’s records so you will have them for your � les. When you take your “Pack ‘n Go” � le with you to your appointments,you will have all those important papers at your � ngertips.

Focus on Development

Traditional vs. Electronic Toys, by Janae Hardy

Do you ever think about what kind of toys will be the most bene� cial to your child’s development in the long run? " ere was a recent study done at Northern Arizona University about traditional toys

compared to electronic toys. In this study they found that electronic toys such as a cell phone or tablet do not promote language development in young kids as well as traditional toys do like puzzles, shape sorters, and blocks. Sometimes as parents it is easier to allow children to entertain themselves with electronic toys, but the traditional toys are proven to be more bene� cial. " ey require more interaction and time spent together which promotes social and language development. Early social and language development is important because it is associated with reading skills and academic success later on in life.

A smartphone or tablet becomes a problem if it gets in the way of a relationship and if it is used too much. One problem they have found is that because these electronic toys provide instant feedback kids then expect that in other aspects of life. " is could be the reason why some kids struggle to pay attention in class, but can sit for hours playing with a phone or tablet.

" e American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that total screen time should be no more than one to two hours a day and it is not recommended for children under the age of 2.

For some young children, this kind of technology can be helpful for communication and motivation, but it is important to use it with intention and for small periods of time. It can also be a way to understand how children who struggle to communicate see the world, but can’t verbally tell us. For example, it provides a way of communicating through using pictures that depict wants and needs as well as schedules for various daily activities.

Being mindful of the amount of use and how children are using technology is important. “Relationships establish the foundation of children’s development. Technology can connect us, but it can also isolate.”

Information taken from KSL Article: Playing to learn: � e trouble with electronic toys. ksl.com/?sid=38115905&nid=1009&fm=most_popular&s_cid=article_popular-3

Special Thank You

We would like to thank Brian McArthur, owner of Reviving Massage, for time and services donated to DDI VANTAGE. He has painted o� ces and will be helping our agency in a variety of

other ways in the future.

Focus on Learning Link

Teaching Appropriate Behaviors

One of the most di� cult aspects to raising an emotionally healthy child

is teaching them what behavior is appropriate, and what is not.

In order to teach your child appropriate behavior, you need to:

• Understand the misbehavior: Does it stem from curiosity, miscommunication, immaturity, or desire for control?

• Get ahead of the misbehavior: Have a distraction available and create an environment that supports self-discipline.

• Identify teachable moments: A misbehavior is an opportunity to teach appropriate behavior; Only say NO or DON’T in emergency situations.

• Manage your response to misbehavior: Control your own emotions, respond with kindness.

• Use appropriate consequences: Time out, natural consequences, and no eye contact.

When choosing your consequences, keep the following in mind:

• Never hurt or humiliate.

• Never shake, jerk, pinch, � ip, or spank.

• Never bribe or threaten to force a behavior.

• Never deny food.

• Never deny routine activities such as outside time.

• Never bite back.

• Never make the toddler say I’m sorry. (� is encourages the magical thinking that “I can say I’m sorry and do it again.”)

Focus on Community

Coming Soon, Family Outcomes Survey

Each year Baby Watch Early Intervention Program sends out an Early Intervention Family Outcomes Survey to all parents of children receiving early intervention services in Utah. Watch for this

important survey in the mail or from your service provider. Your response is appreciated!

What is this survey about? � e Early Intervention Family Outcomes Survey was developed to collect information about the ways in which the Early Intervention Program helps families of children receiving early intervention services.

1. Know their rights

2. E" ectively communicate their children’s needs

3. Help their children develop and learn

Why am I being asked to answer these questions? � is survey is for families who are currently receiving or have recently exited early intervention services. � e results of this survey will help guide e" orts to improve services and results for children and families receiving early intervention services. � e U.S. Department of Education requires each state to submit an Annual Performance Report in order to receive federal funding. States must report the percentage of families receiving early intervention services that feel these services have helped their family.

Who should answer these questions? We want the best information possible about the ways in which early intervention services have helped your family. For some families, one family member might complete the survey. In other families, several family members may want to decide together how to complete the survey. � e decision about who should answer these questions is entirely up to you.

Am I required to complete the survey? Your views are very important to us and we hope that you will help us by completing this survey. However, your participation is completely voluntary. If you decide to complete the survey, you may choose to skip any questions to which you do not feel comfortable responding or which you feel do not apply to your family.

Who will see my answers to the survey? Your speci# c answers to this survey will be kept con# dential. � e information gathered by this survey will only be reported by summarizing the answers of all families as a group who participate. � e answers of individual families will NOT be reported.

Will my answers a! ect the services my child or family receives in any way? No. Your answers to this survey will not have any impact on the services your child or family currently receives or may receive in the future.

Who should I contact if I have questions about the survey? If you have questions or need help with the survey, call your Family Service Coordinator.

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DDI VANTAGE Early Intervention LocationsEast:575 E. 4500 S. Ste B210Salt Lake City, UT 84107(801) 266-3939

West:3540 S. 5600 W.West Valley City, UT 84120(801) 957-0855

Tooele County:165 S. Main Ste 200Tooele, UT 84074(435) 833-0725

Duchesne County:10 S. 200 E.Roosevelt, UT 84066(435) 722-3008

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DDI VANTAGE, Inc.565 E. 4500 S. Ste. A220Salt Lake City, UT 84107

Return Service Requested

We happily accept your voluntary donations. We also appreciate in-kind donations such as new baby items, diapers, and toys. ! ank you to all of those who have donated to our agency. We appreciate you!

Please accept my donation of $__________________ for the DDI VANTAGE Early Intervention program.

Date:_________ Name:________________________ Name of child enrolled:_______________________

Address:_____________________________________________________ Phone:____________________

**Your generous donation will be directly available to bene# t the children and families who are served in the DDI VANTAGE Early Intervention program. You can also support DDI VANTAGE while you shop through Amazon Smile and Smith’s Community Rewards. For more information about how to sign up for these programs, visit www.ddivantage.org/donations.

Mail donations to: DDI VANTAGE 565 E. 4500 S. Ste A220, Salt Lake City, UT 84107

Editor: Charlene Todd • E-mail: ctodd@ddivantage.org • Phone: (801) 266-3979 • Web site: www.ddivantage.orgDDI VANTAGE, Inc. does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnic group identification, ancestry, political beliefs, mental or physical disability,

or any other legally protected status in its programs, services, activities, or employment.