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Empowering families with children who have developmental delays

When your child has a developmental delay, it can be scary, confusing and overwhelming. We’ll help navigate the challenges, celebrate the milestones and help your child reach his or her full potential.

 

Qualifications

Children ages 0-3 who have one of the following may participate in Early Steps (list is not exhaustive):

  • General developmental delays
  • Communication delays
  • Autism
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Hearing impairments
  • Down Syndrome

CHS offers Early Steps in the Big Bend region, covering Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Washington, Franklin, Taylor, Madison, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty and Wakulla counties.

What to expect

We work alongside you to enhance your child’s development so he or she is ready for school. You are your child’s greatest teacher, so we build upon your strengths and empower you to advocate for your family.

We can visit you in your home so your family – especially your child – is most comfortable.

You’ll learn how everyday activities – bedtime, mealtime and bath time – can help your child learn and grow.

You’ll also learn how to guide your child through tough times, and we’ll empower you to navigate through the complex systems that provide support and assistance to your family.

Our Resource Specialists have been through all of it – before they became Early Steps Resource Specialists, they were Early Steps clients. They know firsthand the challenges and rewards of raising children with developmental delays. And they know how to access the resources that can help you along the journey.

 

Additional services include:

  • Physical, speech and occupational therapy
  • Early intervention instruction
  • Special equipment
  • Annual assessments
  • Connections to other local resources

Innovation in action

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When Tanya became pregnant with her first child she joined Children’s Home Society of Florida’s Healthy Families – a program that provides encouragement, practical guidance and resources to parents throughout Florida. During weekly sessions, and in the comfort of their own homes, parents – like Tanya — learn how to help their children reach key […]

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Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to prevent diseases and keep your family safe. But in recent years, myths and misinformation have created vaccine hesitancy – both delaying vaccinations and leading families to skip them all together. In fact, about 1 in 5 parents is considered “vaccine hesitant.” Vaccine hesitancy and misinformation can […]

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Finding confidence and support with CHS Healthy Families

“Healthy Families has helped me a lot — with information, diapers, things for my baby — it also helped me emotionally,” shares Serena, a mother of three. Serena was deep in financial stress and felt alone with no one to turn to. She wanted to provide the best for her children, but she struggled to […]

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