Archives by Year: 2024

Smiling little girl with Down Syndrome being held by her proud mom

What is the Early Intervention Family Focus Hub?

Maybe you are very familiar with the Family Focus Info Hub, or maybe this is the first time you’ve heard of it. Either way, WELCOME! If you’re looking for helpful child development information, tips and resources, you’ve come to the right place.

What is EI?

Early Intervention (EI) is a program built on the principle that children learn best through everyday experiences with people they know. This makes YOU your child’s best teacher. Early Intervention provides quality support for families and caregivers of children, birth through 3 years old, who might have delays or disabilities.

Summit County’s Early Intervention services are provided through a partnership between Summit DD and Help Me Grow. Our EI supports are customized to fit your family’s needs. Your team (which includes a Service Coordinator through Help Me Grow Early Intervention and a Primary Service Provider through Summit DD) will work with you to develop an Individualized Family Service Plan, or IFSP. This IFSP identifies your concerns and priorities so together, we can accomplish the milestones that are important to you and your family.

What is the Family Focus Hub?

We have created the Family Focus Hub as a quick online resource highlighting important aspects of early childhood development. This hub was developed by our Early Intervention team to provide information about development, strategies, play ideas, and inclusive local events/resources for our families. These resources are meant to be an additional support for you to check out between Early Intervention visits. These resources are great for children of ALL abilities. So even if you do not receive services, this is a GREAT place to find information, play ideas, and community resources. The topics and community resources are updated on a quarterly basis.

Over the past year we covered topics such as communication and early literacy, gross motor milestones and what sensory processing is! We have all new topics planned for 2025, so be sure to check back often!

Questions?

Contact Us! We’re happy to help.

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2024 Appreciation Award winner Britt Ferrara holding award surrounded by friends and family

Nominate a difference-maker for a Summit DD appreciation award

Nominations now open for 2025 Summit DD Appreciation Awards.

We all know of those people who help make this world a better place for others. They are the ones who find ways to raise the bar, serve others with a smile, and leave a lasting impression wherever they go. Now is your opportunity to recognize them. Nominate a deserving  self-advocate, DSP, or community ally for one of Summit DD’s Appreciation Awards. Read More ›

Inclusive Winter Guide

2024 Inclusive Winter Activity Guide

The winter season in Northeast Ohio is full of fun and inclusive events for adults, families and kids! Explore our comprehensive Inclusive Winter Activity Guide below. Be sure to share it with family and friends! Read More ›

Photo of Evan sitting on the Smart Home couch smiling proudly.

Evan’s Tech Journey

In celebration of Assistive Technology Awareness Month, we’d like to recognize Evan! Earlier this year, Evan became Summit DD’s SMART Home Tech Champion after an extensive search and interview process. Evan now lives in the SMART Home and provides weekly tours to peers with developmental disabilities, community partners, and more. “I used to not see myself as someone with a disability. I separated myself from them in my mind. Now that I have met so many others through my tours, I realize we are all the same and we can help one another!” shared Evan. Read More ›

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