Transitions expands Parents as Teachers program, will serve children ages 3-5

QUINCY — Transitions of Western Illinois is expanding its Parents as Teachers program, a program that has historically served children from birth to age 3. Jessica Peters, director of mental health and children’s services, says Transitions now will serve children from birth to age 5.

“For almost 50 years, we have provided developmental services to the young child and parenting education to parents,” Peters said in a press release. “In the past, when a child reached the age of three, we could no longer serve them. This often resulted in children not receiving ongoing services to aid their development and prepare them for academic success.”

Peters said research shows early childhood education and parental involvement can reap great benefits for children.

“When young children and parents engage in early childhood programming, the benefits include improved cognitive development and academic performance, better social-emotional development, and improved health,” Peters said. “If a child enters school behind in motor development, speech development or social/emotional development, they often struggle academically. Sadly, this can result in lifelong delays.”

Transitions’ Parents as Teachers program provides an array of services, such as a developmental assessment, parent education, case management and referrals to other services, including financial assistance, medical care, speech therapy, physical therapy and other human services. Prenatal parent education services for mothers who are expecting also is available.

“Our Parents as Teachers program is a home visiting program – our staff come to the family,” Peters said. “Transportation and childcare are not barriers to receiving services. In addition, there is no cost to families for our services thanks to grant funding. We serve children and families who reside in Adams County, and a child can enter the program at any time.

Expansion of Transitions’ early childhood services is the result of a capacity building grant from the Tracy Family Foundation and Home Visiting Program grant funding from the State of Illinois Department of Human Services.

Referrals for services are welcomed from parents, social service providers, medical providers and childcare providers. Referrals can be made by calling Transitions at (217) 223-0423, Ext. 372.

Transitions of Western Illinois provides an array of mental health, rehabilitation and educational services to residents of Adams County and some surrounding counties in Illinois. The agency has provided services to the area for more than 67 years. The Parents as Teachers program has achieved Blue Ribbon Model Affiliate status.