Tulare County Office of Education

Bright Start Parent/Infant Program

Michael Stephens, Ed.D.
Administrator, Programs for the Severely Handicapped
(559) 730-2910, Ext. 5121
mstephens@tcoe.org

Maxine Epperson
Program Manager
(559) 740-4321
mepperson@tcoe.org

Bright Start Parent/Infant Program

Research has shown that family-centered activities during the first three years of a child's life can make a difference in the child's growth and development process. Early intervention services are available for families whose children need assistance to meet their early developmental milestones. Infants and toddlers from birth to 36 months who are identified as being "at-risk" or have developmental delays or have specific conditions (such as deafness, blindness or an orthopedic handicap) may qualify to participate in the early intervention program.

The Bright Start Parent/Infant Program provides comprehensive early intervention services consisting of the following components: home-based visitations, on-site parent-child involvement activities and therapies.

A child eligible for early intervention services at Bright Start may receive one or more of the following services: direct early instructional program, structured play group opportunities, speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, deaf and/or hard of hearing services and/or infant massage.

The family collaborates with the instructional staff and other professionals in the planning and development of the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). This family-centered plan identifies specific outcomes and the appropriate services needed to help each child develop to his or her fullest potential.

Bright Start Parent/Infant Program

Bright Start Centers in Visalia and Porterville are fully staffed to provide instructional, clinical, and play-based learning opportunities. Since parents are the primary and most important teachers for their children, the centers offer an environment in which the entire family may be included in all activities. Parents may attend informational presentations to help them learn how to encourage and guide their child's growth and development.

Bright Start also operates the "FACESS" program for very young children who have Autism Spectrum Disorder. For additional information on FACESS - Facilitation Abilities in Core Emotional regulation and Social communication Skills, read the FACESS brochure (pdf file).

Bright Start staff collaborates regularly with other agencies, such as the Central Valley Regional Center, the Family Resource Center, and the Department of Health and Human Services, in order to maintain optimum services.

Before a child turns three, a transition plan is developed in conjunction with the family and other agency providers. The team considers the child's present developmental levels, eligibility for continued services, and preschool service options.

The Bright Start Parent/Infant Program staff is committed to providing appropriate services to assist each child to reach his or her fullest potential.

The FACESS brochure above requires Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print. You may download the freeware version by clicking on the Adobe icon to the right.

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