Early Intervention Center
Mission Statement
At the Early Intervention Center, our team of professionals is dedicated to providing education and support to families and children with special needs. We strive to create an environment that is developmentally appropriate and conducive to each child's learning.
Our Philosophy
The Early Intervention Center is a team of professionals dedicated to providing education and support to families and children with special needs. Our transdisciplinary team provides evidence-based interventions t address the needs of each child. We strive to create an environment that is developmentally appropriate and supportive of learning. It is our goal to provide children with the foundation to develop their independence, self-help, communication, pre-academic, social, sensory, motor, and problem solving skills. We are committed to providing a high quality program that is developmentally appropriate for the ages and specific needs of the children we serve. Our approach to learning emphasizes all aspects of a child's development, and is encouraged through hands-on activities. There is a mixture of both self-directed and teacher-directed activities.
About Us
Contact Us
Contact Information
REFERRAL LINE: (805) 672-2705, 2222
EARLY INTERVENTION COORDINATOR
Office: (805) 672-2705 x2206
OFFICE ASSISTANT
Office: (805) 672-2705 x2215
INFANT PROGRAM
Karly Stern, Infant Specialist
Office: (805) 672-2705 x2219
EARLY INTERVENTION CENTER TOSA
Colleen Miller, TOSA, ATLAS - EIC
Office: (805) 672-2705 x2204
Moderate/Severe Classes
Megan Vasquez, Teacher; Room 37, ATLAS - EIC
Room: (805) 672-2705 x2137
Amy Perez, Teacher; Room 38, ATLAS - EIC
Room: (805) 672-2705 x2138
Sarah Carr, Teacher; Room 4, PACIFIC - EIC
Room: (805) 289-7961 x2104
Linda Miller, Teacher; Room C, PACIFIC - EIC
Room: (805) 289-7961 x2301
Mild/Moderate Classes
Jamie Jenkins, Teacher; Room 39, ATLAS - EIC
Room: (805) 672-2705 x2139
Rikki Aquino, Teacher; Room 40, ATLAS - EIC
Room: (805) 672-2705 x2140
Caitlin Carr, Teacher; Room 2, PACIFIC - EIC
Room: (805) 289-7961 x2202
Anayeli Torres, Teacher; Room 3, PACIFIC - EIC
Room: (805) 289-7961 x2203
Facilities
Programs
Services for Children Birth to Three
Infant Program
The Infant Program serves infants and toddlers (birth to three) with low incidence disabilities (young children with vision, hearing, or muscle disorders). Two Early Childhood Special Educators, a Speech Language Pathologist, and an Occupational Therapist provide services to young children throughout Western Ventura County that include family education and therapy through home visits and play groups. The specialists work in conjunction with Tri Counties Regional Center through the California Early Start Program.
Services for Children Three to Five
Kids' Korner Speech/Language Therapy Playgroup
Kids' Korner is a language-based play group that serves children with mild to moderate delays in the areas of communication. Children in this program have more needs than can be met with speech/language therapy alone. They typically have a delay in sensory/movement, self-help, social/emotional, and/or pre-academic skills. There are two play groups at the Early Intervention Center-Saticoy Elementary School site. Each group meets two times a week for two hours. There are approximately eight to ten children in each group. The support staff includes a preschool specialist/speech language therapist, a speech language pathologist assistant (SLPA), occupational therapist and assistant, paraeducator, school nurse, and program specialist/school psychologist. Vision, mobility, and hearing specialists are available as needed. Children participating in Kids' Korner often attend community preschools in addition to their Kids' Korner program.
Kids' Korner sessions include typical preschool activities such as circle time, centers for specific skill practice and independent choice, along with outdoor play. Specific skill practice typically includes speech therapy (one to three children in a group twice per week) and occupational therapy (approximately four children in a group one time per week).
Small Group Classes - Mild to Moderate
We have three intensive small group classes on the Saticoy Elementary School Early Intervention site, and one class at Sunset Elementary School. These classes are designed for students with moderate to severe impairments in one or more of the following areas: communication, movement, pre-academic/cognitive, social/emotional, and self-help skills. These classes are non-categorical, meaning that the children have a variety of different disabilities, such as Speech/Language Impairment, Autism, or Intellectual Disability. Children attend up to five days, depending on their age and individual needs. An extended school year is available to children who need it in these small group classes. The classes are serviced by a program specialist/school psychologist, speech language pathologists, occupational therapist and/or OT assistant (COTA), adaptive physical education teacher, school nurse, certificated teacher, and paraeducators. Vision and mobility specialitsts are available as needed.
Our small group classes provide a stimulating environment for our children. The day includes activity based, child-directed play, and centers such as art, sensory, fine motor, blocks, dramatic play, and individual work tasks. The children also participate in a circle time language group, which includes songs, stories and reading/math readiness. They participate in outdoor activities, teacher directed activities, and snack. Adapted Physical Education, Occupational Therapy, and Speech/Language services are incorporated into the program as well. A classroom schedule is posted in each room.
Small Group Classes - Stepping Stones
Stepping Stones is a special education class designed for students who need special education support but have less intensive needs than a student requiring a daily program. The students are provided with a classroom program, that addresses their special needs, but prepares them for the demands and expectations of general education kindergarten.
Related Services
Adaptive Physical Education
Direct physical education services provided by an adapted physical education specialist to pupils who have needs that cannot be adequately satisfied in other physical education programs and who may not safely, successfully or meaningfully engage in unrestricted participation in the vigorous activities of the general or modified physical education program.
Intensive Behavior Intervention Services
Systematic implementation of procedures designed to promote lasting, positive changes in the student's behavior.
Occupational Therapy
Services to improve a student's educational performance including postural stability, self-help abilities, sensory processing and organization, environmental adaptations, use of assistive devices, motor planning and coordination, visual perception and integration, social and play abilities, and fine motor abilities. Both direct and indirect services may be provided in a group or on an individual basis.
Speech and Language Therapy
Remedial intervention for eligible individuals with difficulty understanding or using spoken language. Services may include specialized instruction and services and consultation. They may be direct or indirect including the use of a speech consultant.
Vision and Mobility Therapy
Training for students with visual impairments to develop skills to enable them to travel safely and independently around the school and in the community.
Staff
Our staff has a cooperative, supportive relationship because of shared respect, daily interactions, and a shared belief that we can make a difference in the lives of young children and their families.
Early Childhood Special Educators serve children from ages 0-3. At the minimum, they hold a Bachelor's degree and teaching credentials. They have extensive knowledge about hearing/language impairments, autism, neurological development, and low incidence disabilities such as vision, hearing, or muscle disorders.
Occupational Therapist and Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant serve children who have needs with sensory, fine, and gross motor skills. They serve each small group class, and Kids Korner classes, and work both in the classroom and in an occupational therapy motor room. These services are provided to assist children in benefiting from their educational program.
Paraeducators are available to assist and support the teachers in providing services to children. They have varied experiences with children with special needs and are continually expanding their knowledge by attending workshops provided by Ventura County SELPA. They are hired by and meet the qualifications of Ventura Unified School District's Classified Human Resources Department.
Preschool Specialists teach in the Kids' Korner program, consult with community preschools and parents, and complete assessments for preschool aged children with special needs. They are credentialed and hold at least a bachelor's degree.
Program Specialists and School Psychologists have Masters level degrees in School Psychology. They have extensive training with assisting children, teachers, and parents with programming, assessment, behavioral intervention, special education, and children with a variety of special needs.
School Nurse is trained in first aid and CPR and helps with the resolution of health concerns that interfere with learning. Each school site is staffed with a Health Technician who is immediately available to provide health related support services. They are available to assist with health screenings, record results, and sending referrals as needed. They maintain updated health records for children, conduct preliminary observation of ill and injured children, consult and refer to our school nurse and parents, and access emergency medical response if it is deemed life threatening.
Small Group Class Teachers at the Early Intervention Center are trained, experienced, and fully credentialed in early childhood education and/or special education, and hold at least a Bachelor's degree. They continue to update and expand their knowledge of young children with special needs by going to local, state, and national conferences.
Speech/Language Pathologists provide assessments and direct services for children in our program. They provide therapy for children individually or in small groups to work on goals involving receptive and/or expressive language skills, and/or articulation skills. They hold master's degrees in Speech and Language Pathology/Communicative Disorders, and are credentialed and licensed by the state.