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Volume 12 Issue 1   March 2009

One Program’s Story

by Virginia King

As many of you know, it is often challenging building working relationships with new families, especially while trying to fulfill programmatic requirements and meet deadlines such as the IFSP 45-day timeline. One program, Leaders Early Intervention, has found a way to help make both the professional staff and family members feel more connected. Virginia King, Director, describes below how her program attempted to make the initial IFSP meeting, which often seems very business-like, appear “a little friendlier”.

As the director of a FIT Early Childhood Intervention program, I have experienced for a long time a genuine relationship between staff members and the families we serve. This relationship was strengthened further though the generosity of one of our families.

About two years ago one of our mothers told me she made blankets, along with the help of her mother-in-law and sister-in-law for some hospitals around the area. She asked if we would like some blankets for the children in our program. I was overwhelmed. These blankets are made with two pieces of fleece material and have knotted fringe. They are made in dozens of different colors and designs and are the perfect size for our little ones to curl up with. The familyWoman and baby holding blanket. delivered enough blankets for all of our children. Since our Christmas Parent Support/Party was coming up, we decided to give them to our children then. The parent and/or their child could pick out a blanket and it was added to our gift for them and given at our party. I can’t tell you what a wonderful surprise it was and the parents and children were very appreciative. We had some extra blankets so now every child receives a blanket of their choice at their initial IFSP meeting. It makes an IFSP meeting that sometimes can seem impersonal into a joyful experience and strengthens the bond we have with our families.

The generosity of this one family goes far beyond what we normally see in our daily lives. This family chooses to remain anonymous and covers the cost of all the materials, makes the blankets and delivers them to us ready to be given away. Although their precious little daughter transitioned from our program, we often get calls and visits updating us on her progress and asking if we need more blankets. This family will forever have a special place in my heart and all the staff members as I hope we will with the families we serve.

Photo: Eloisa Murillo and baby Mariah enjoy the blanket they received from the Pat-A-Cake program in Hobbs.