Gerri's Gazette March 2024

Baby's 1st Three Months

In the baby’s first three months of life there are behaviors and signs that are often referred to as Red Flags that pediatric health professionals look for to indicate if a little one may need some help. Identifying and treating potential problems early, can reduce the impact it may have on the little one’s development Developmental Red Flags Every Parent Should Know

Video runs approximately 7 minutes.

Developmental Red Flags for 3 months old:

• Limited head control
• Constantly turning their head to one side
• Flattening of the back or side of the head
• Decreased movement on one side of the body
• Fist remain closed most of the time
• Does not cry
• Does not notice or respond to loud sounds
• Does not look at caregiver
• Is not smiling or cooing
• Does not follow a moving object with their eyes
• Unable to latch while nursing or bottle feeding
• Loses a lot of beast milk or formula
• Appears distressed when feeding

If you do notice your little one has any of these red flags, don’t worry. It does not mean that something is wrong. It is an indication to talk to your pediatrician about what you are seeing. We advise talking to your doctor and making a referral to AzEIP.

FFY 2024 IDEA, Part C Grant Application for Federal Funds Is Open for Public Comment

The Arizona Department of Economic Security/Arizona Early Intervention Program (ADES/AzEIP) has posted the FFY 2024 Part C Annual Grant Application for Federal Funds. Copies of the Part C Grant Application for Federal Funds are available upon request from the AzEIP office.

Pursuant to the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) and Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), ADES/AzEIP, as the Lead Agency for IDEA, Part C in Arizona, is required to publish its Grant Application for Federal Funds (including any policies, procedures, and other information required in, and that will be submitted as part of, the application) in a manner that will ensure circulation throughout the State for at least 60 days, with an opportunity for public comment on the application for at least 30 days during that 60 day publication period.

https://des.az.gov/content/ffy-2024-idea-part-c-grant-application-federal-funds-open-public-comment

The application will be available for review on March 22, 2024 through May 22, 2024. Comments must be received by April 21, 2024. You may submit comments by mail, email or fax. Please note that the application may be updated prior to submission to the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) based on OSEP's guidance and receipt of more recent information.

Submit your comments to:

Arizona Early Intervention Program

1789 West Jefferson Street, Mail Drop 2HP1, Phoenix, AZ 85007

(602) 532-9960 (option 3) | Fax: (602) 200-9820

Email: azeip@azdes.gov (subject line: Public Comment)

Rental Assistance

DES offers rental assistance to eligible families with children, as well as older adults. We want to make sure everyone is aware of this resource. The Arizona Rental Assistance Program (ARAP) helps clients struggling to make monthly rent payments, and by recommending the program to families you meet with, you may be able to help them stay in their homes! Eligible households can receive a payment for up to three months of their monthly rent. Or assistance can be used for past-due rent, as well as late fees and penalties.

Interested individuals and families can visit des.az.gov/ARAP or visit a Community Action Agency (CAA) to learn more and apply today.

New Dads Get Depressed, Too

Postpartum depression is real and distressing for new parents, and it can often include fathers. This can be a reaction to a mother with postpartum depression, or it may be its own entity. As with new mothers, postpartum reactions can be misunderstood, ignored, or kept silent. Read more here.

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ICC Spotlight

The Interagency Coordinating Council for Infants and Toddlers (ICC) advises and assist the Department of Economic Security, Arizona Early Intervention Program (DES/AzEIP) and its partner agencies to administer, promote, coordinate, and improve early intervention for families and professionals. We are looking for parents who have lived experience receiving early intervention services to share their story and the impact early intervention services has/ had on their family.

Lana Graber

Lana Graber, CEO of Dynamite Therapy, has been in the Chair and Vice Chair roles of the ICC for the past 5 years. As Sarah Greene and Sonia Samaniengo take over as Chair and Vice Chair respectively, Lana has said the following of her experience. "It has been my honor to serve the children and families of Arizona in this capacity, as well as the Office of the Governor. It has been an amazing experience and I am truly thankful to all involved in supporting me through this journey. I was the first ICC council member to travel to Washington, DC to be a part of the OSEP Leadership Conference. An experience that was unforgettable and helpful to our ICC development. I am greatly looking forward to continuing on as a Council member of the ICC. I enjoy working with all of the professionals and family members on the council as well as the AzEIP staff members who support our work. Together, we diligently work at the administrative level to help improve early intervention in our beautiful state of Arizona for the adorable infants and toddlers, and their families! In my humble opinion, the most precious, amazing and rewarding group to support."

Sonia Samaniego, Vice Chair ICC

Being a native Arizonan provides Sonia Samaniego a deep understanding of the local community's needs and challenges. With her vast experience as an Early Childhood Bilingual Service Provider and Professional Development Instructor, Sonia possesses a wealth of knowledge in communication disorders, early learning, special education, and adult training. Her expertise extends to statewide technical assistance for educational, clinical, child care, and early learning programs, specifically in the areas of referral, treatment, and follow-up services for families with children with potential hearing and/or vision loss. Sonia has hands-on experience in providing ongoing educational support and coordinating services to connect families with specialized programs. She emphasizes the importance of supporting children's learning and identifies the need for any supplemental services that may be required during the sensory screening process for hearing and vision.

Sonia's commitment to supporting infants and toddlers with special healthcare needs is evident through her active participation in the Interagency Coordinating Council for Infants and Toddlers since 2009. Sonia is actively involved in providing continuous education and awareness to community partners supporting the deaf, hard of hearing, or low vision communities in Arizona. Her guidance extends to navigating systems of care, ensuring that community partners are well equipped to provide support services and resources for children's learning. Sonia's dedication, expertise, and extensive outreach demonstrate her commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of families and children in Arizona.

To learn more about the ICC visit https://des.az.gov/services/developmental-disabilities/early-intervention/icc-for-infants-and-toddlers or email azicc@azdes.gov. We look forward to hearing from you.

Parent Training

Scan the QR code at the bottom of the flyer for free Home Safety Classes:

Resources

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For more upcoming events visit our Facebook Page:

Arizona Early Childhood Community https://www.facebook.com/azearlychildhoodICC