|
FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAM
What is the Family Support Program?
The
Family Support Program provides trained early childhood
mental health professionals who consult with child
care providers and
parents to support infants, toddlers and preschoolers who are
experiencing behavioral and emotional challenges in their child
care settings. Sometimes these challenges may put young children
at risk of expulsion from the child care setting. The Family
Support Program aims to reduce expulsions and increase the
number of families and child care providers who successfully
nurture
the social and emotional development of children ages 0-5 in
licensed child care programs.
What Does the Family Support Program Offer?
- Observation and assessment
- Home visits
- Child care site visits
- Team planning and community referrals
- Training
Consultation includes prevention and intervention strategies
that are strength-based, child-centered and family-focused, culturally
sensitive and relationship-based.
Why is the Family Support Program Needed?
- There are approximately 33,000 children in Genesee
County under the age of 6
- Genesee County has a 37% expulsion rate for preschool children
- The prevalence of challenging behavior among preschool-age children
ranges from 3 to 15%
- Child care programs are expelling increasing numbers of “problem” children.
One recent survey reported that during one year, nearly 2%
of the children in a single Michigan county were expelled
Research shows that early intervention is the key to helping
children succeed in school. By enhancing the preschool experience,
young children with behavioral difficulties are supported, their
social and emotional competency is enhanced, and they are better
prepared for school.
Parent
What is the Family Support Program?
The program is an early childhood prevention program designed
to support children under the age of five who are experiencing
behavioral and emotional challenges. Sometimes these challenges
put children at risk of expulsion from the early childhood
setting.
Why Do We Need This Program?
Research shows that early childhood identification and intervention
with behavioral challenges can promote a child’s self-esteem,
build resiliency and diminish risks. School success is enhanced
when a child is emotionally and socially competent.
How Does This Program Work?
When providers and parents have mutual concerns or questions
about a child’s behavior that include social and emotional
skills, they can submit a referral form to the Training Coordinator
at 4C Child Care Unlimited. Once a signed referral is received,
the provider will be contacted to set up an initial observation
and gather information. The parent as well as the child care
provider will be asked to complete an assessment of the child.
Further consultation is available on an as-needed basis with
parental consent.
Who is Eligible?
Any child under the age of five years old who is enrolled in
a licensed child care setting in Genesee County and is experiencing
behavioral, emotional or social difficulties is eligible.
For more information, please contact:
4C Child Care Unlimited
(810) 232-0145
(810) 232-6261-Fax
Provider
Family Support Program/Expulsion Prevention Program Committee
The committee partners with child care providers and families
in an effort to help children reach their fullest potential.
What is the Expulsion Prevention Program?
The program is an early childhood prevention program designed
to support children under the age of five who are experiencing
behavioral and emotional challenges. Sometimes these challenges
put children at risk of expulsion from the early childhood
setting. The Family Support Program/Expulsion Prevention Program
is designed to keep children in child care and will assist
caregivers to:
- Enjoy children more
- Learn and use positive guidance techniques
- Fully utilize community resources
- Reduce family and environmental stress
- Enhance children’s social and emotional growth
Why Do We Need This Program?
Research shows that early childhood identification and intervention
with behavioral challenges can promote a child’s self-esteem,
build resiliency and diminish risks. School success is enhanced
when a child is emotionally and socially competent.
How Does This Program Work:
When providers and parents have mutual concerns or questions
about a child’s behavior that include social and emotional
skills, they can submit a referral form to the Training Coordinator
at 4C Child Care Unlimited. Once a signed referral is received,
the provider will be contacted to set up an initial observation
and gather information. The parent as well as the child care
provider will be asked to complete an assessment of the child.
Further consultation is available on an as-needed basis with
parental consent.
Who is Eligible?
Any child under the age of five years old who is enrolled in
a licensed child care setting in Genesee County and is experiencing
behavioral, emotional or social difficulties is eligible.
For more information, please contact:
4C Child Care Unlimited
(810) 232-0145
(810) 232-6261-Fax
|
