EARLY INTERVENTION IN NORTHERN NEW JERSEY

Helpful Hands, Inc., the Northeast Regional Early Intervention Collaborative is a not-for-profit organization whose goal is to promote quality, family centered early intervention services in Bergen, Hudson and Passaic Counties. Helpful Hands offers family education and support, family advocacy, professional training and technical assistance, conducts program evaluations and serves as a link between the state and the region for coordination of services.

Helpful Hands is a collaboration of parents and professionals working on behalf of infants and toddlers with a variety of special needs such as Down syndrome, Autism and other developmental delays. Helpful Hands seeks to ensure that all families are empowered to help their child grow to his or her potential.

As you deal with the wide range of emotions associated with raising a child with disabilities or developmental issues, it really helps to channel those emotions into worthwhile activities. Volunteer as much time as you can spare -- work with the Board of Trustees of Helpful Hands, either as a board member, a committee member or an activity volunteer. Get involved in our fundraising efforts, which are an important aspect of what we do at the Collaborative. Monies raised goes into our Special Needs Fund which provides scholarships for children, birth to three with disabilities, for special equipment, increased service options, programs and more. Volunteer for a focus group on special issues, help design and participate in phone or other surveys, help with mailings and other office functions, participate in regional trainings or participate on the team developing a Family Support Plan for your county.. it can be the most rewarding thing you will ever do! Call Helpful Hands today... you can make a difference.

Did you know that if you currently contribute to the United Way, you may name Helpful Hands as the recipient of your contribution. This is available through the United Way's Donor Choice Program. Your company can assist you with this plan or you may call the Collaborative @ (973) 256-8484.

Contributions are tax deductible.

NREIC

(973) 256-8484

65 Willowbrook Boulevard, 2nd Floor

Wayne, New Jersey 07470

Early Intervention & the NREIC

For Infants and Children 0-3 years

Early Intervention means discovering that a child, birth to age 3, has a condition or special need that may affect his/her development, and then providing services that lessen the effect of that condition. Research has shown that early intervention with infants and toddlers reduces the need for life-long dependence on intensive service and support.

Where to start? The first step...

To learn more about services that may be available to your child and family, call the Special Child Health Services Case Management Unit for your county. A service coordinator in the Case Management Unit will help you determine if your child is eligible.

The NJ Department of Health provides the funding for the evaluation and assessment of your child and the development of the Individualized Family Service Plan, so there is no charge to your family for these services.

Help for your child and family is only a phone call away-call now!

BERGEN COUNTY (201) 634-2621

HUDSON COUNTY (201) 915-2514

PASSAIC COUNTY (973) 523-6778

Services provided through a network of not-for-profit/public Early Intervention agencies:

• Referral and Information

• Evaluation and Assessment

• Service Coordination

• Individualized Family Service Plan

• Assistance with Parent's Rights

• Developmental Services

• individual therapy

The Role of the NREIC

• Coordinate the network of provider agencies

• Mediate family concerns

• Provide professional education and technical assistance

• Advocate for policy changes to improve services

We're changing the future for infants and toddlers and their families... for the better!

We have a lending library at our offices at 65 Willowbrook Blvd. in Wayne. The library will be open every other Monday from 10am to 12pm. Materials include books, videotapes, magazines, pamphlets, and resource guides which may be borrowed for two weeks. The available resources range from books on specific disabilities to general information on raising a child with special needs. Please call for an appointment at (973) 256-8484. Children are welcome as long as they are supervised.

The Northeast Regional Early Intervention Collaborate is funded in part by New Jersey Department of Health, Special Child Health Services with funds from Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).