Shared from: Best Starts for Kids
Best Starts for Kids has made an incredible impact on supporting children with developmental delays, and their families, by investing in Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT). Best Starts Prenatal to Five investments have supported 44% growth in the ESIT program over the past 5 years.
ESIT provides services to families whose children have developmental delays. We focus on children up to age three, when their brains are growing the most.
During COVID-19, the ESIT Program continues to accept referrals and provide services virtually, through video conferencing and/or phone calls. Research shows that virtual services are as successful as in-person services (example study is here).
We are actively working to reduce barriers to receiving services, such as access to interpreters for all visits, and providing tablets, internet, and data when families need them. Please help us spread the word to families about ESIT Services during COVID-19, with this flyer available in 23 languages!
The benefits to families receiving ESIT services during this time, include:
- Supporting the child’s development during early brain growth,
- Learning helpful ideas to use while playing or during daily activities,
- Stability during a time of uncertainty by having regular services, and
- Making social connections and links to additional supports.
To make a referral, contact Help Me Grow Washington in any of the following ways:
- Call the direct ESIT line at 206.204.3536,
- Call toll-free at 800.322.2588,
- Fax 206.299.9146, or
- Email childdevelopment@withinreachwa.org
We are available for tailored presentations and conversations about ESIT services with community partners. We would be happy to schedule time to meet with you or your team! To request a presentation, please feel free to email Diana Castillo at dianac@withinreachwa.org.
In King County, we have 13 agencies who provide ESIT services. We are excited to share more from one of these agencies:
“Wonderland Child & Family Services, a non-profit agency providing Early Support for Infants and Toddlers services in north King and south Snohomish counties, as well as to children through age 12 prenatally exposed to substances, transitioned fully to virtual services, also known as telehealth in March. Since then we have held more than 3,000 telehealth sessions, reaching children in the safety and comfort of their homes without any gap in services. Our therapists, special educators, and Family Resources Coordinators have found virtual therapy to be a powerful tool in their work, which has always focused on coaching parents. See this video about Wonderland’s telehealth services, and learn how our providers work remotely.
