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Small Voice
Your Gift Will:
- Provide scholarship funds for the children whose families are unable to pay the entire cost of the program
- Provide funds to increase the frequency of home visits
- Help improve the children's chances for leading healthy, satisfying, independent and productive lives
Background
Neuroscientists say that the most productive learning years are from birth to age 5. When a young child has difficulty communicating with others, all sorts of problems can result. A child, who is a candidate for Small Voice may or may not be able to talk, may not be able to follow directions or answer questions. Sometimes they can't understand what is being said even though he or she is not deaf, but often acts out behaviorally because of great frustration
The Alta Bates Summit Small Voice Early Prevention Program serves youngsters, ages 18 months to 3 years, who participate in the year-group program for 2 hours per day, 3 days a week. The staff-to-child ratio is 1 to 3, with staff consisting of a speech pathologist, occupational therapist, and a developmental specialist. Parents learn how to enhance their children's communication skills, form closer emotional bonds with their offspring, and learn how to advocate within the "system" for their children's special needs.
By providing early intervention services to young children with special needs and their families, Small Voice strives to maximize children's independence through life, minimize the need for future therapy and special education, and support families in becoming advocates for their children.
Families are encouraged to participate in the group activities and children also receive regular one-on-one home visits by Early Intervention staff members. Home visits are vital because they provide parents with support during developmental transitions, help address specific developmental and behavioral concerns at home, and enable parents to apply skills learned at the center to the child's own "natural environment."
The Challenge:
Small Voice accepts children into the program based upon their need for therapy regardless of the family's ability to pay. The current cost of Small Voice is $942 per month per child (based upon 3 group visits per week at $66.62 and 2 home visits per month at $71.52). Small Voice's Scholarship Fund is used to make up the financial shortfall for families whose children do not qualify or are not yet eligible for federally funded disability services.
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