Bright Start and DDSN Aim for Progress, Inclusion with Early Intervention Professionals Week Proclamation
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (DDSN) and Bright Start, an organization that specializes in early intervention and case management for children and adults, support Gov. Henry McMaster’s proclamation for Early Intervention Professionals Week, following Bright Start’s proposal for the state to acknowledge these dedicated workers.
Bright Start began talks with the governor’s office two years ago on selecting a week to highlight their mission of early intervention services for children across the state, and DDSN voiced its support of the effort. Early Intervention Professionals Week has been designated as July 24-28.
The governor’s proclamation notes that DDSN and BabyNet, a program under the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) that serves children ages three and under, provide early intervention services to more than 11,000 infants and young children statewide. It states, in part, that services provided by early intervention professionals “enhance development and promote the health and well-being of South Carolina’s children and their families.” It further encourages all state residents to “honor our early intervention professionals for their dedication, compassion, integrity and contributions that enhance the quality of life” for the families they serve.
Bright Start is the first and largest private provider in SC and one of 80 Early Intervention providers serving children across the state and focuses on children ages six years and under. Their Early Intervention program is family centered and provides collaborative, developmental instruction for parents, caregivers, and their children with special needs. Bright Start assists families in helping children reach developmental milestones by building on the strengths of the family and child. This is done through home visits and individualized family training.
“We are so proud of everyone who works together to provide Early Intervention to the children of South Carolina,” said Bright Start cofounders Beth Bunge and Teri Todd. It takes a team of professionals working together with the leadership of the family to achieve the best outcomes for the children and caregivers. We are excited to celebrate all the professionals involved in Early Intervention, especially during this special week.”
The South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs plans, develops, coordinates and funds services for residents with various severe, lifelong disabilities. DDSN’s Early Intervention Program takes a family-centered approach based on the principles of respecting every family’s individuality and aims to support and encourage families in their efforts to independently meet the needs of their child with special needs.
“We are thrilled to have this proclamation on record, so our entire state can join us in promoting early intervention services for those with special needs,” said Joyce Kimrey, DDSN’s Director of Early Intervention. “We work hard to ensure children with developmental delays, intellectual disabilities, autism and other special needs receive the same respect and inclusion as their peers, and this proclamation brings us closer to that goal.”
For more information on early intervention services, visit Bright Start, DDSN, and BabyNet’s webpages, and this page for links to DDSN and BabyNet’s referral pages. For the latest information on Bright Start’s work and activities, visit the organization’s Facebook and Instagram. For more on DDSN’s activities and mission, visit their Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
