In the world of COVID-19, Help Me Grow Brevard can’t host young families at “Books, Balls & Blocks,” where babies grasp plush fruits and geometric shapes, toddlers match colors and numbers in plastic eggs and preschoolers race through collapsible tunnels.
Bummer, but wait…
We CAN continue to offer free child development screenings and, for the month of June, free educational toys for families who participate and talk with the Help Me Grow care coordinator about results and recommendations.
The link to the screening is www.bit.ly/211Brevard.
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“I talk to parents about areas where their children may be ahead or behind or maybe right on track,” said Kara Bradley, care coordinator. “If there are concerns, I work with them to find resources that meet their needs, income, and insurance.
“If a child is just a little behind for a developmental milestone, I can send learning activities electronically that parents may use to help their child catch up.”
Children ages 2 months to 5½ years are eligible for the Ages & Stages Questionnaires (ASQ-3). The care coordinator may offer additional screenings, including the ASQ:SE-2, which tracks social-emotional health.
Help Me Grow Brevard is a coalition of nonprofit and government agencies led by 2-1-1 Brevard, which works to increase the number of young children who get routine developmental screenings.
2-1-1 Brevard is an affiliate of Help Me Grow Florida, a state-funded system designed to promote healthy development for every child.
The learning toys are courtesy of United Way of Brevard and Good360, which helps “socially responsible” companies make product donations in “challenging circumstances,” in this case, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The toys will be provided to qualifying families at the end of the month through “contact-free” pickup or delivery. They include, while supplies last: Little Tykes Memory Match, Robotic Lab Puzzle to Go, My Day Touch & Feel Puzzle, LEGO City Fire ATV and LEGO Star Wars Naboo Starfighter.
In May, families completed more than 60 screenings and United Way paid for age-appropriate books shipped directly to homes.
Bradley will continue to work with families who need support and check-in later with families who don’t. It must have been at least 60 days since a child’s last screening with Help Me Grow to qualify for the new toys.
Research shows that 1 out of 6 children experience developmental delays, learning disorders, or behavioral and social-emotional problems. Early detection leads to early intervention and better long-term results.
The Help Me Grow Brevard partnership includes 2-1-1 Brevard, Early Learning Coalition of Brevard, Healthy Start Coalition, Space Coast Early Steps, Brevard Health Alliance, Florida Department of Health in Brevard, Brevard Public Schools, Space Coast Health Foundation, Brevard Homeless Coalition and United Way of Brevard Healthy Families.
Help Me Grow Florida is sponsored by the Children’s Forum and the State of Florida, Office of Early Learning.
Learn more by:
Calling 2-1-1 and asking for Help Me Grow.
Visiting 211brevard.org/help-me-grow or helpmegrowfl.org
Going to www.facebook.com/helpmegrowbrevard.
