Perkins School of the Blind is an invaluable partner to Partners in Child Development’s Early Intervention (EI) program as our specialists and their Teachers of the Visually Impaired (TVIs) have worked together for years in a collaborative, family-centric manner.
In the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, families with children diagnosed with low vision, cerebral/cortical visual impairment (CVI), and/or blindness in one or both eyes automatically qualify for early intervention services paid for by insurance or the Department of Public Health.
Additionally, when a family contacts our Early Intervention Services requesting a free evaluation and shares a concern related to vision, EI will complete the initial evaluation to determine eligibility for services and then engage Perkins School for the Blind to be a part of our multi-disciplinary team.
“We are so fortunate to offer our Early Intervention Services in the Commonwealth where Perkins School for the Blind is also located. Partnering with them for many years has enabled us to work together, side by side, for the benefit of so many of our children and their families,” said Cheryl Bruk, Division Director of Partners in Child Development’s Early Intervention Services.
Perkins is internationally renowned, virtually reaching children and families across the globe. It is incredibly impactful for our EI families to have our specialists and a Perkins TVI working collaboratively in person at a child’s home or childcare setting.
Read John’s Story as one example of how we work together.
The combined multi-disciplinary team works seamlessly in visits with the child and family, typically in the child’s natural setting of their home or childcare. With a family-focused strategy, parents and caregivers share feedback trying suggested ideas and strategies since the prior visit as well as any new concerns. Early Intervention assigns a Service Coordinator who remains consistent with the child and family throughout services provided up to age three. Other EI specialists may be part of the team or consult as needed depending on the child’s developmental needs. A Perkins TVI is also consistent throughout working with the family.
Early Intervention Services Team Lead and Developmental Specialists Cara McAuliffe shares, “It is truly an incredible partnership working with Perkins School for the Blind and we couldn’t offer the range of support and services without them. Over the years, I have learned so much working alongside them and am grateful to combine our areas of specialization for the benefit of infants and toddlers who are blind or have visual impairments. It is professionally rewarding and personally to see the impact for the child and their families, there is truly nothing like it.”
This collaborative approach expands resources for families through services and consultations from Perkins School for the Blind. Their programs include toddler playgroups, a low vision clinic on the Perkins campus, and orientation and mobility consultations to help toddlers prepare for a safe transition to preschool. These programs are in addition to the co-visits of Perkins’ TVI and our EI specialists.
A Partnership in Preparing for Transition
Our Early Intervention Services team invests a lot of time and energy to help a child and family prepare for transition to preschool as our services are provided up to age three. A wonderful synergy of our partnership with Perkins is they too invest in important tools and resources and their TVI works with our Service Coordinator who leads transition planning for each child and their family.
Annually, the last week of June is Helen Keller Deaf Blind Awareness Week. As we honor Helen Keller’s legacy, we reflect on our valued partner, Perkins School for the Blind, and the many additional resources available to support and assist local families in all of the communities that we provide early intervention services including the Greater Lowell communities (Billerica, Chelmsford, Dracut, Dunstable, Lowell, Tewksbury, Tyngsborough, and Westford) and Greater Lawrence communities (Andover, Lawrence, Methuen, and North Andover).
Thank you Perkins School for the Blind!
Partners in Child Development is so proud and thankful to have you as a valued partner. We look forward to many more years of working together to help and support local families.
Learn more about Perkins School for the Blind.
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