One of our younger residents, Leo, at two and a half years old, has had some struggles with speech and only says a handful of words. Children with speech and language delays are more likely to have learning disabilities when they start school. They also may have a higher chance of developing social, emotional, and behavioral problems in adulthood.
We are so very fortunate to have a Child Advocate (Jessica Brackett) on staff who knows the signs when interacting with the children in our program. Because of her keen eye and deep understanding of children's needs, we were able to enroll Leo in Tennessee Early Intervention System through which he will receive speech therapy starting in two weeks! They will come to our facility and once mom and child get into permanent housing, the therapy will continue at their home. How wonderful!
Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS) is a voluntary program that offers therapy and other services to families of infants and young children with developmental delays or disabilities. Services are provided at no cost to families. TEIS is critically important to supporting the development of Tennessee children with disabilities and developmental delays as they prepare for school.
We were recently featured in Chattanooga Times Free Press and we're so grateful. Journalism surrounding nonprofits is essential as it fosters connections between individuals and meaningful opportunities to volunteer and support causes. By shedding light on the impactful work of our organization, it bolsters community engagement and raises awareness about the pressing social issues we are presented with every day. This type of journalism not only informs the public but also inspires action and collaboration to drive positive change. Ultimately, it plays a crucial role in strengthening the nonprofit sector and enhancing community involvement.