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San Joaquin

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First 5 San Joaquin: Great Beginnings

San Joaquin County has developed the United Cerebral Palsy Great Beginnings Program, providing in-home treatment services county-wide to children age 0-5 with special needs and their families.  This program has been continuously funded since 2002; the program cost is approximately $300,000 annually.  Great Beginnings provides visits in homes, child care centers and preschools from physical and occupational therapists, speech therapists and early intervention teachers.  The children served are those who have a noted delay at screening and assessment, but are unable to qualify for Early Start or Special Education services.  

In 2005 Great Beginnings services were coordinated with Ages and Stages Questionnaire developmental screenings provided by all First 5 San Joaquin school readiness programs in the County.  In 2008 the First 5 San Joaquin funded Family Resource Centers also began to provide developmental screenings at five sites.
Valley Mountain Regional Center, the Family Resource Network and the three County Special Education Local Planning Areas (SELPA’s) provide community agency training on referral processes to Early Start Programs.  Training supports First 5 efforts to screen young children for developmental delays and disabilities in San Joaquin County and make appropriate referrals.

Results

  • 4,182 Ages and Stages Questionnaire Developmental Screenings in First 5 San Joaquin School Readiness Programs  in 07-08 resulted in 16 percent of children demonstrating a delay or need for further assessment in one or more areas
  • 3,821 Ages and Stages Questionnaire Developmental Screenings in First 5 San Joaquin School Readiness Programs in 08-09 resulted in 760 children receiving services for a special need
  • Great Beginnings provides over 1,000 home visits annually to children age 0-5
  • Great Beginnings and San Joaquin County Office of Education screen over 500 children annually for hearing, vision and dental health at preschool programs and during transition to kindergarten

Partners

  • Valley Mountain Regional Center
  • Family Resource Network
  • United Cerebral Palsy
  • Lincoln Unified School District
  • Tracy Joint Unified School District
  • San Joaquin County Office of Education/Early Childhood Education and Comprehensive Health Departments
  • Lodi Unified School District
  • Community Partnership for Families Family Resource Centers
  • Manteca Unified School District
  • Stockton Unified School District