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Parenting can be very challenging when you receive a medical diagnosis for your child, are dealing with a financial crisis, or struggling with a personal or family trauma. These are some reasons a Social Worker could be added to your Early Intervention Team. Their role is to help families meet their needs, so the children get the most out of Early Intervention therapy.
Social Workers can:
- Encourage a positive parent-child interaction.
- Teach parents new parenting skills.
- Find needed resources in the community.
- Provide counseling for the family that relates to child development.
- Refer parents to additional mental health support when needed.
Thoughts from an Early Intervention Social Worker:
"Are you as your child's primary caregiver, enjoying your time with your child? When you look back in 1, 5 or 10 years on this time in your child's life and development, are you going to think about how amazing it was when your child gave that first smile? Or will the memories be of the constant struggle to make medical appointments and therapy sessions? Or fears of going to family parties with your little one? Or how medical and other bills were overwhelming?"
"If the joy and dreams for your child are lost in the issues listed above - or the many others parents face, then I feel social work and counseling services is one to consider."
— Jennifer Leahy-Junas, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Early Intervention Provider
The Early Intervention Parent Liaison can help you with similar needs. You can contact Melissa at (847)377-8923 or mcarnes@lakecountyil.gov.
"Having a baby is a life-changer. It gives you a whole other perspective to why you wake up every day"
- Taylor Hanson
App Spotlight
Vroom delivers a meaningful and researched based tip to your phone every day. Using the tip with your child will help developing learning skills and encourage parent-child bonding.
Find Vroom on your the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
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 Support for DADS Special Fathers Network
Using a personalized matching process, new fathers of a child with special needs are matched to a Mentor Father with 10 or more years of experience raising a child with similar needs. Learn more or call (800) 996-3237 to get started.
After you complete the enrollment form, SFN will contact you then in about a week introduce you to your Mentor Father.
On Saturday, May 18, SFN is hosting the first Conference for Dads at the Renaissance Hotel in Northbrook from 8am-1pm. Registration is $20 per dad for all activities and lunch. Child care services provided by a licensed professional at no additional cost. The conference will help dads meet dads, build parenting skills and find resources. This is a great opportunity for Fathers to connect with others. Register now
Open Gyms for Tots in Lake County
Looking for something to do on a rainy spring day? Check out all the options Little Lake County has listed for families.
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Special Olympics Young Athletes Program
The Young Athletes program is for children ages 2-7 with intellectual disabilities and their peers. Special Olympics is wonderful for the entire. This program encourages development in the areas of physical, cognitive and social growth. Learn more
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Give Bath Toys a Bath
To keep toys cleaner longer, squeeze water out after each bath and store in a dry area.
Vinegar Solution: Use 2 to 1 ratio of hot water and vinegar. Example: Mix 4 Cups Hot water with 2 Cup of Vinegar in a large bowl or plastic bin. Soak and squeeze the toys in the vinegar bath for 10 to 15 minutes every week. Squirt out all water and let the toys dry.
Bleach Solution (visible mold): Use 1 tablespoon of bleach to 1 gallon of warm water. Soak toys for 5 minutes squeezing water in the toy. Rinse with warm water then squeeze excess water out of the toys. Let dry. If the mold is still visible, toss the toys in the trash.
More information
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Harper and Isabel had a great time at the Whimsy Play Café playgroup! Check out this bright and cheery indoor adventure that includes themed houses, dress up clothes, slides, art room, baby play area and more.
282 McHenry Road, Buffalo Grove
(847) 996-9603
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Please RSVP if you plan to attend any of the upcoming private playgroups planned for Early Intervention families. Contact Melissa Carnes at mcarnes@lakecountyil.gov or (847)377-8923.
Kick Start Pediatric Therapy Network
Date: Wednesday, April 28
Time: 10:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m.
Address: 14044 Petronella Drive #1, Libertyville
Details: Come swing, bounce and explore in the colorful indoor play rooms.
Cost: FREE
Therapeutic Links
Date: Wednesday, May 15
Time: 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Address: 998 Progress Drive, Grayslake
Details: Jump in a colorful and clean ball pit, build a ladder to a slide, swing from many types of swings or just play with toys.
Cost: FREE
Prairie Grass Nature Museum: Round Lake Park District
Date: Saturday, June 15
Time: 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Address: 860 Hart Road, Round Lake
Details: Hands on nature exploration in a guided program perfect for little ones. Hike the nature trail. The Splash pad and pool are located next to the Nature Center if you want to extend your day.
Cost: $3 per child
Summer playgroup preview:
July 20 - Ryerson Woods (Riverwoods) - Farm Animals
August 1 - Bella's Bouncies (Lake Villa) - Private Bounce Room for EI
Library patrons and Early Intervention Families meet up to play with toys in these child/parent lead playgroups.
Freemont Public Library
Date: Thursday, April 11
Time: 10:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m.
Address: 1170 N. Midlothian Rd., Mundelein
Theme: Playing with All 5 Senses
Wauconda Area Library
Date: Friday, May 17
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Address: 801 N. Main Street, Wauconda
Theme: Move With Me
North Chicago Public Library
Date: Monday, June 17
Time: 10:30 a.m. -11:30 a.m.
Address: 2100 Argonne Dr., North Chicago
Theme: Playing with All 5 Senses
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