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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 (PIP) 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.

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Referral

Do you or a family you know need our services? Download and email us your referral with the form below.

Programs

In Home

Early Intervention

for Blind/Visually Impaired Children

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Birth to Age 5

Early Intervention for

Blind/VI

In Home

Early Intervention for Deaf/Hard of Hearing Children

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Birth to Age 5

Early Intervention for

Deaf/HH

On FSDB Campus

for Deaf/HH and Blind/VI Children

 

Birth to Age 3

Stay and Play

Group

On FSDB Campus for Deaf/HH

and Blind/VI

Children

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Age 3 to Age 5

Early Learning

Center

We believe that when parents are empowered, success will follow respecting that success is individual and looks uniquely different for each family.

We focus on language development, communication options, understanding hearing aids/cochlear implants, child development, and transitioning into a school system. 

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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.

Blind/VI Early Intervention
Parent Advisor adjusting hearing aid on girl.

Early Intervention
for Deaf/hh

FSDB provides a statewide early intervention program as an outreach initiative for families of children with hearing concerns.

​

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.

Deaf/HH Early Intervention

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

carrk@fsdbk12.org

 

Jennifer Cato

Director, Deaf and Hard of Hearing

PH: 904-827-2437

VP: 904-201-4581

catoj@fsdbk12.org

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Stay and Play Group

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

  • How many students attend FSDB?
    FSDB serves 975+ students each year through statewide parent-infant/family programs, a Montessori-based Pre-K early learning center and K-12 elementary, middle, and high schools on its campus.
  • What kind of transportation is available for students?
    Students in the Boarding Program receive bus service to and from their hometown on weekends and holidays. Students living in the local area are transported to and from home on a daily basis. Local families also have the option of transporting their children between school and home.
  • What kind of after school activities are available at FSDB?
    FSDB provides diverse extracurricular opportunities for student participation in athletics, clubs and activities, performing arts programs, and recreational activities that take place in state-of-the-art facilities. Students also take part in athletic and academic competitions with public and private schools in Florida and at other deaf and blind schools across the country. Academic and athletic teams at FSDB hold national championship titles and regional awards.
  • What is the average class size at FSDB?
    FSDB maintains small class sizes to allow teachers to meet each student’s specific needs. At the elementary level, the classes average between six to eight students. At the middle school level, the average class size is eight students. At the high school level, the average class size is 10 students.
  • My child has cochlear implants. Can s/he attend FSDB?
    Many students who attend FSDB use hearing aids and cochlear implants to maximize use of residual hearing.
  • What services are available for children from birth to age six?
    Learn more about Parent Services programs, including our Early Learning Center and statewideParent Infant Programs.

upcoming Trainings

SKI-HI

January 26-28, 2024 – February 23-25, 2024 | St. Augustine, FL

VIISA B-3

March 15-16, 2024 & May 17-18, 2024 | St. Augustine, FL

INSITE

October 18-19, 2024 & November 15-17, 2024 | St. Augustine, FL

SKI-HI

January 24-26, 2025 – February 21-23, 2025 | St. Augustine, FL

Meet our team

Kim Carr

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

Director for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing

Kathleen Locascio

Coming Soon

Contact

PH: 904-827-2437

VP: 904-201-4581

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