Assistance in the child's natural environment: how early intervention services work

Early intervention is comprehensive support for families with young children who have developmental delays or are at risk of such delays. The service enables timely initiation of intensive assistance during the most receptive age — from birth to three years.

The service is provided comprehensively by an early intervention team. Currently, more than 70 teams operate in 21 regions of Ukraine. Each child receives an individualized approach — together with parents, the team identifies priority goals, develops an individualized family plan, and implements it.

One provider of this service is the "Dzherelo" Center for Social Services and Rehabilitation, which operates in the Lviv region and has been assisting youth and children with disabilities since 1993, offering early intervention services since 2002.

The team, consisting of a psychologist, speech therapist, physical therapist, occupational therapist, social worker, and pediatric neurologist, can simultaneously assist 80 families. The Center practices a routine-based approach — working in the child's natural environment. The early intervention specialists at "Dzherelo" are certified trainers and mentor over 50 newly established teams across Ukraine.

To date, nearly 5,000 children and families have benefited from early intervention services at "Dzherelo."

It was this Center that Kateryna Kozak, mother of Sergiiko, turned to.

The boy has a confirmed diagnosis of microcephaly and severe developmental delay. Naturally, the family, faced with such health challenges in their child, sought specialist help and support to learn how to organize daily care, assist Sergiiko, and provide proper care.

"We came to 'Dzherelo,' where we received qualified support. After an assessment, they explained how to properly care for the child, give him food and water, as he had difficulty swallowing. They also advised us on how to position or seat Sergiiko comfortably," says Kateryna Kozak.

A key feature of early intervention is that it can be provided at home, on a playground, or in a kindergarten — in the child's and family's natural environment. This fosters collaboration with parents, who are key partners in delivering the service.

Specialist visits occur once a week for about an hour, each with a specific goal.

Information about centers providing early intervention services can be found on the websites of local authorities, the National Social Service Agency, and other organizations assisting families with children with special needs.

The development of early intervention services is one of the priorities of the Ministry of Social Policy under the National Strategy for Creating a Barrier-Free Space in Ukraine by 2030, an initiative of First Lady Olena Zelenska.