Program for Early Intervention
In December 2010, Karin Dom began their Early Intervention Programme. It is targeted towards children, newborn to 4 years old, that have special needs, are at risk, or are falling behind in their developmental areas - physical, cognitive, social, emotional or speech.
The Early Intervention programme offers a great opportunity for a problem-solving process that involves the parents. It is carried out in a home environment, a comfort zone for the family and place where the Early Intervention team can see the child in their natural environment.
Home visits are carried out by a team of specially trained consultants from Karin Dom. This mobile team of specialists includes social workers, physiotherapists, special pedagogues, and speech therapists.
Consultants suggest ideas for activities, that are adapted towards the child's age and stage of development, which parents can easily use in day-to-day life, during meal times, sleeping, play time, and when the child is interacting with their siblings. Consultants may also suggest changes and improvements in objects that are used in daily life, such as chairs, feeding utensils, a bed, swing and others. These suggestions may allow for the objects to be as efficient and convenient as possible, to best suit the needs of the child. Activities are developed that draw on the parents' strengths and use resources available in the home.
A Parental Support Network is also part of the Early Intervention programme. The purpose of parent meetings is to provide connections between the parents, so that they can learn from each other and support one another.
Partners of the Programme:
- Municipality of Varna
- Maternity and Neonatal Ward of the Hospital "Prof. Dr. Dimitar Stamatov" - Varna (Obstetrics and Gynecological Hospital)
- Maternity and Neonatal Ward of the Hospital "St. Anna" - Varna (Regional Hospital)
- Social Support Directorate, Varna, Child Protection Department
- Colourful Future Association, Varna – Breastfeeding support