Birth to Age Three Prevention Initiative
To participate in our program, please complete our referral form and we will contact you. For more information about the Prevention Initiative Program, please contact our intake specialist at 618-816-5537 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The first three years are the most important building blocks of a child's future.
Free Community Developmental Screenings
For children ages one month to three years old who reside within the boundaries of Clinton, Jefferson, Marion and Washington Counties, screenings are provided free of charge. Developmental screenings can take place in the family's home.
Benefits of Developmental Screenings:
- Help parents/caregivers to learn more about how their child develops
- Celebrate your child's milestones
- Provide parenting information and resources to support the child's development and learning
- Increase early detection of possible developmental delays
Parents/caregivers will receive a full report with the screenign results, resources and guidance to support their child's development, and referrals to the appropriate agencies if necessary.
What is the Prevention Initiative Program?
The Early Childhood Prevention Initiative Program works alongside families and children from prenatal to age three in Clinton, Jefferson, Marion and Washington Counties. Family advocates visit with families weekly in their homes to empower parents to be their child's first teacher through goal setting and child development activities that focus on each individual child's potential.
Who is Eligible to Participate in the Prevention Initiative Program?
Screenings are conducted to identify the neediest children in our Clinton, Jefferson, Marion and Washington County communities. Screening results are used to develop an individual plan to best serve the child and family. A parent advocate will provide a screening for your child at a time and location that is convenient for you. Comprehensive screening procedures include information from the research based ASQ, parent interview forms, functional hearing and vision screenings, and weighted criteria to determine eligibility into the Prevention Initiative program. Eligibility for infants prior to three months old is based upon family and environmental risk factors. The highest needs children are enrolled first.
How Can I Start the Process?
The Prevention Initiative Birth to Three Program is housed in our Mt. Vernon Regional Office of Education, 1710 Broadway, Mt. Vernon. Referrals can be made from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday by calling 618-244-8040 or use the referral form to submit your information.
Baby Talk Curriculum is a research-based curriculum that has been used to support Parent and Family Engagement for 30 years across the country. Parents are valued as their children's first and best teachers and the curriculum's approach is to come alongside families and build upon and deepen connections between parent and child. The curriculum aims to establish and deepen working relationships with families and support the child's development from the prenatal stage to age three.