More About CEIP
The Cumberland Early Intervention Program is a registered charity administered by a volunteer board of directors. The program has been in operation since May 1990. The program is partially funded by the Nova Scotia Department of Community Services and by the United Way of Cumberland County. We otherwise depend on fundraising and the generosity of individuals, organizations, and business’ in order to continue providing services to all of Cumberland County. Early Intervention provides in-home visitation to families whose young children (birth to school entry) are developmentally delayed or at risk for delay. These delays can be due to any number of factors. Our program has assisted families with children who have Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Congenital Toxoplasmosis, Spina Bifida, CHARGE Association, Pierre Robin Sequence, Johanson-Blizzard Syndrome, Autism/PDD, Visual and Hearing Impairment, Trisomy 14, Congenital Heart Defects and Congenital Rubella Syndrome as well as children who are at risk due to prematurity and other birth complications. Many of the children are delayed for undiagnosed reasons. The program is essentially focused “in-home” as our philosophy is that families have the greatest impact on a their child’s development. Families are the center of our service. Since the program’s inception we have served 500 children and their families with direct support. At any given time the caseload includes 40-60 families who are in need of early intervention services.
As an extension of the work we do, we also offer parent support groups, community programs, respite in the summer, and educational resources for families, professionals, and the community. Early Intervention believes in building on child and family strengths. Through partnerships with families we facilitate the acquisition of skills and knowledge which can help to promote family and child well-being. Our desire is not to ‘do for’ the families but to provide them with support and resources which assists them to problem solve and make informed choices. We strive to provide families with current information on their child’s diagnosis or delay, information on child development, access to local programs and supports, information on more widespread resources, assistance in contacting and communicating with pertinent professionals, assistance in transitions to new programs or school, and access to developmentally appropriate equipment, toys, games, books, and activities. Through collaborative partnerships, we have been able to provide summer respite care programs, have been instrumental in the creation of other valuable services, and have extended the mandate of our work to include more children and families. The Cumberland YMCA, Mount Allison University, and CEIP have worked to promote a recreation opportunity for children with special needs through the Cumberland SMILE program which offers a Saturday morning gym and swim program. CEIP has hosted workshops and various training opportunities and has supported the development of the two Snoezelen rooms in Cumberland County. Overall, CEIP works to enhance communities to be welcoming of all children and to offer everyone a community to be proud of; each belongs.
Those interested in more information about our programs and services can contact CEIP @ 667 - 8244 or E-mail: perryceip@eastlink.ca
