Parent Infant Program
Early intervention, family-centered programs for children ages 0-5 who are deaf/hard of hearing or blind/visually impaired, free of charge.
About
FSDB offers early intervention and outreach services, separate from the programs run on the school campus, because of a strong commitment to the needs of families and children with hearing and vision concerns across the state.
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The FSDB Parent Infant Program offers statewide early intervention, family-centered opportunities free of charge for children ages 0-5 who are deaf/hard of hearing or blind/visually impaired. A specialized team of trained professionals – who serve as parent advisors – provide individualized services in the family’s home and during daily routines, in the child’s natural environment.
The Parent Infant Program within the FSDB Parent Services Department works collaboratively with the Florida Department of Education, the Early Steps Program/Florida State Department of Health, and the Division of Blind Services/State of Florida.
Programs
We believe that when parents are empowered, success will follow respecting that success is individual and looks uniquely different for each family.
Early Intervention
for Deaf/hh
FSDB provides a statewide early intervention program as an outreach initiative for families of children with hearing concerns.
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Families are paired with a certified Parent Advisor who has received specialized training in working with families who have infants and young children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Through regular home visits, the Parent Advisor addresses family concerns and helps to determine goals and priorities.
This program focuses on language development, communication options, understanding hearing aids/cochlear implants, child development, and transitioning into a school system. The program uses the internationally known SKI-HI curriculum, which supports families by offering unbiased information. Project INSITE curriculum meets the needs of young children with vision impairments and multiple disabilities (including hearing loss) and their families by providing strategies to foster their development
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Together families, caregivers, and parent advisors share information, discuss ideas and adaptations, and monitor the child’s progress. This program enhances the family’s ability to assist their child in becoming a participating family member and a part of the larger community.
We respect and support any communication methods that work for the child and family.
We focus on language development, communication options, understanding hearing aids/cochlear implants, child development, and transitioning into a school system.
Early Intervention
for Blind/VI
FSDB provides a statewide early intervention program as an outreach initiative for families of children with visual disabilities.
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Families are paired with a certified Parent Advisor who has received specialized training in working with families who have infants and young children who are blind/vision impaired. Through regular home visits, the Parent Advisor addresses family concerns and helps to determine goals and priorities.
The program focuses on learning through the senses, orientation and mobility, communication skills, developmental skills, and transitioning into a school system. We use the VIISA curriculum which includes acquiring a wide range of skills and concepts that work for the child and family, as well as information about resources and support services. Project INSITE curriculum meets the needs of young children with vision impairments and multiple disabilities (including hearing loss) and their families by providing strategies to foster their development
Together families, caregivers, and parent advisors share information, discuss ideas and adaptations, and monitor the child’s progress. The program enhances the family’s ability to assist their child in becoming a participating family member and a part of the larger community.
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The Parent Infant Program within the FSDB Parent Services Department works collaboratively with the Florida Department of Education, the Early Steps Program/Florida State Department of Health, and the Division of Blind Services/State of Florida.
Stay and Play Group
The parent-involved Stay and Play Group on the FSDB campus provides developmental learning experiences for children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing or Blind/Visually Impaired, ages birth to 36 months and their caregivers.
The early years are when children use their bodies, senses, and emerging problem-solving skills to make sense of their world. Babies and toddlers actively seek information by exploring their environment and making new discoveries.
At the developmentally appropriate Montessori-inspired Stay and Play Group, children are encouraged to work independently, observe others, explore freely, and express their curiosity and creativity while developing confidence and competence. The children are given the freedom to learn by doing. The prepared environment fosters the young child’s independence and desire for exploration with low, child-sized furniture and accessible shelves lined with stimulating materials.
Early Childhood professionals observe the children in action, guiding caregivers and children to materials and activities designed to encourage curiosity and learning. Children develop language, concentration, problem-solving, visual discrimination, physical coordination, self-help and social-emotional skills.
For more information and to discuss options for participation, please contact our Parent Infant Program Directors.
Kim Carr
Director, Blind & Visually Impaired
PH: 904-827-2232
Jennifer Cato
Director, Deaf and Hard of Hearing
PH: 904-827-2437
VP: 904-201-4581
The Parent Infant Program has helped us to see Lewis as normal. With his hearing aids and therapies, he will be fine and able to do all things.
— Nayeli, Mom
Meet our team
Director for the blind/Visually Impaired
Kim Carr
Kim Carr, Director of Early Intervention for the Blind and Visually Impaired at FSDB, has worked in the education field as an Early Childhood Educator since 2001 and in the field of Early Intervention for children with visual impairments since 2006. She has over 17 years of experience working with young children and their families in the classroom and in the home environment. Kim’s desire is that children are taught the skills they need to succeed and to develop confidence and independence.
Certificate, Visual Disabilities Early Intervention, Florida State University
Master of Arts, Educational Leadership, University of North Florida
Bachelor of Arts, Early Childhood Education, University of Central Florida
Contact
PH: 904-827-2232
Director for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing
Jennifer CAto
Jennifer Cato, Director of Early Intervention for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing at FSDB, has worked in the field of Deaf Education since 2001. She has focused her career on involvement with infants, toddlers, preschoolers and their families. Jennifer has more than 17 years of experience in early education. She has worked as an in-home provider for early intervention and literacy programs as well as in early childhood group settings and preschools with children who are deaf/hh. Jennifer is passionate about empowering parents to recognize the essential role they play as their child's first teacher.
Certificate, Infant Toddler Development, University of Central Florida
Master of Arts, Special Education, University of Central Florida
Bachelor of Arts, Deaf Education, MacMurray College
Contact
PH: 904-827-2437
VP: 904-201-4581