Infant & Toddler
Connection of Virginia
MONTHLY UPDATE
FEBRUARY 2021
WELCOME NEW LOCAL SYSTEM MANAGERS
"I am so excited to have the opportunity to learn my new role and make the early intervention program in Portsmouth as great as I know it can be!"
Liz is committed to utilizing her experience and expertise to support the agency, her staff and community members in an ethical, reflective and compassionate approach. 
BE IN THE KNOW
KYLA SHARES NEW UPDATES ON STATEWIDE ACTIVITIES
State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP)
We are nearing the end of our fifth year of SSIP implementation!  
RICHARD DISCUSSES DETERMINATIONS
Beat it! Get lost! Scram! – Helping Children and Families Successfully Transition from Part C to the Future
Which U.S. state is the birthplace of eight U.S. presidents, produced the first peanuts grown in the U.S. and is the only one that allows children to transition from Part C to Part B at age two? If you guessed Virginia…you’re right! More on that last item in a moment…but first:

DAVID SHARES TIMELINE 2021 FAMILY SURVEY
Annual Early Intervention Family Survey Coming Soon!
Help us to improve Virginia’s Part C early intervention system by encouraging families to share information about their experience!
Submit data to ODU - 2/15/2021  
Flyers begin mailing - 3/1/2021
Wave 1 begin mailing - 3/29-4/5/2021
Wave 2 begin mailing - 4/19-4/23/2021
Calls begin to localities with less than 15 completes - 5/14-5/21/2021
Data cleaning, compilation, and delivery to R. Penfield - NLT 6/28/2021

Input from families today allows us to better serve families tomorrow.
A RECENT SURVEY SHOWS…
Your responses help guide efforts to improve services and results for children and families.

How many times have you taken a survey and you have no idea why you’re taking it? And let’s face it, completing a survey takes time, so if you’re not sure what the purpose is, then you’re not likely to do it. If you want your survey respondents to take your survey, make sure you explain why they’re doing it.

SNEAK PEEK

SNEAK PEEK
DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN INITIAL EVALUATIONS?
HERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE DURING COVID-19.
The University of Colorado-Denver is conducting an Internal Review Board (IRB) approved study about how initial evaluations are conducted for early intervention and preschool special education.  If you are interested in participating, please complete the following survey about how initial evaluations are being conducted for early intervention and preschool special education right now. Anyone who is involved in administering initial evaluations (e.g., ECSEs, SLPs, OTs) may participate. The survey is voluntary, confidential, takes approximately 10 minutes to complete, and is IRB approved (COMIRB protocol 19-0275). The findings will help our understanding of how initial evaluations have been adjusted during the COVID-19 pandemic and what needs providers have to continue their early identification efforts.

FEATURED RESOURCES
Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia’s Public Awareness Campaign Features Customized “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” Resources

Ambassador Deana Buck and Monitoring Consultant Telisha Woodfin revitalize public awareness materials. Since the project’s completion, over 34,000 English and Spanish brochures have been printed and over 10,000 have been distributed across the state of Virginia. 
Vision
To give families, rehabilitation professionals, and donors the organization they desire to create communities in which all available adaptive equipment is in use by kids who need it.
Mission
To provide for the re-use of pediatric rehabilitation equipment and devices in Virginia, serving as a no cost resource to children with disabilities who need adaptive equipment.
PET OF THE MONTH
MEET LILLY AND ERIN
This is Lilly! She is a 6 year old shihtzu-yorkie mix and just celebrated her birthday last month! She sits in Erin's office and will sometimes engage in virtual visits with the toddlers during sessions and reviews!

"My name is Erin Nicophor. I have been an EPIC Service Coordinator for over a year with the Hampton/Newport News ITC. I have had Lilly since she was born and her middle name is Valentine! She is such a loveable dog and all the kids in the neighborhood love to pick her up and hold her. One of Lilly's favorite things to do is go on walks in her pet stroller! This picture is from her 6th birthday party my family had for her last month and it was princess themed!!"
Your home office likely includes a four-legged co-worker.
Let's see them hard at work!
QUESTION FROM THE FIELD
BEING DIFFERENT IS OKAY
QUESTION: What happens to the Medicaid EI Benefit if a child is discharged in ITOTS and the discharge date is later deleted because the family decided to stay with EI?

ANSWER: Anytime a discharge date for a child with Medicaid is entered in ITOTS...

Boy consoles crying classmate with autism on first day of school

MEDICAID ENROLLMENTS

If you have questions about enrollments for children with Medicaid please contact Keisha White at keisha.white@dbhds.virginia.gov.
EARLY INTERVENTION CERTIFICATION
Have issues with your username or password for Early Intervention Certification?
Please send requests for Early Intervention Certification login assistance to dbhdsproductionsupport@dbhds.virginia.gov

For questions about certification of practitioners, contact David Mills • 804-786-6593
For questions related to completing the online application, contact DBHDS Production Support@cov.virginia.gov 
Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia is part of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services
1220 Bank Street, 9th Floor, P.O. Box 1797, Richmond, Virginia 23219-1797
Main Office: (804) 786-3710 • Main Fax: (804) 371-7959
1220 Bank Street
Richmond, VA 23219
(804) 664-2462