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Who are we?
Cumberland Early Intervention Program is a family centered organization that serves children with special needs and their families in their homes and communities. Through education, advocacy and partnerships we promote potential and build a positive view of the future.
We serve Cumberland County families with children ages birth to school entry who are developmentally delayed or are at risk for delay.
What do we do?
We provide children and their families with support and resources which help them reach their individual goals. We offer home visits involving activities which encourage appropriate development and enrich a child's environment as well as offer support for inclusion in community programs and activities.
What do we provide?
Current information on the child's diagnosis or delay
Information on child development
Access to local programs, supports and resources
Assistance in contacting and communicating with other professionals involved in your child's care
Assistance in transitions to new programs and to school
Access to developmentally appropriate equipment, toys, games, books and activities
How is our program funded?
Cumberland Early Intervention Program is a non-profit registered charity administered by a Community Board of Directors. All services to families are provided free of charge. Partial funding for the program is provided by the Nova Scotia Department of Community Services and through the United Way of Cumberland County.
Additional funding from our community is required to ensure our services can continue. Major fundraising events are held in February.
What to Expect from an Early Interventionists
Family Centered Principles and Practice: An Interventionist always keeps the family at the core of the decision making process and respects the family as the central part of the child’s life. All goals and activities are decided by the family, with the full support of the ECI.
Regular Contact: Either by home visit, daycare visit, community visit, by phone, e-mail or otherwise. An ECI serves families to the extent that the family chooses. Some families require less and some families require more contact. Often families require (or would like) more that the EI program is mandated by the Province to provide. However, your ECI makes every attempt to connect with you as you have requested of he or she.
Developmental Programming: ECI’s are resourceful in helping to develop goals and activities to support children’s development. They regularly assess a child’s skills and help families to implement activities to enhance development. They also complete written reports of the child’s progress based on developmental assessment tools. A program binder is regularly maintained with documentation of assessments, checklists, home visit notes, consents and more. Your family should also expect regular individualized family service plans to be developed and implemented as well as goals that can be used in your daily lives and routines.
Support in Accessing other Services: ECI’s are very knowledgeable about programs and services available in the community. They can assist with transitions to childcare programs and schools and regularly refer families to additional services.
Problem Solving: ECI’s are meant to act as a resource for families and are not responsible to provide treatment or therapy but are expected to support families in finding solutions to meet their needs. Our focus is on helping families become their own self-advocates.
Knowledge, Compassion, Understanding, Warmth, Support, Kindness, Professionalism, Team Work, Dedication, Honesty, Trust, etc! If our jobs are done well, a family should feel that they have someone to go to with questions, someone in which to access support, and someone in which genuinely cares about the family and child’s outcomes.
How Can You Obtain Our Services?
Parents, family doctors, health care professionals or educators can contact us to request assistance or information. All referrals are made with parental consent.
