Intensive Care Services
When Project First Step (PFS) first began in 1997, we offered intensive care services. Our work in this service laid the foundation for the program. These services are intervention-based, and they inspired us to work hand-in-hand with prevention-focused services we have since introduced. Because of our progressive movement, the need for intensive care services has greatly diminshed and it only makes up a small portion of those served by PFS. While we may be shrinking our content in intensive care services, this component still plays an important part in what PFS does for the community.
This component of PFS serves medically fragile children from birth to age three and/or parents with social concerns that could impact the health or safety of the child(ren). This service is designed to help keep babies who are born medically compromised at home with their parents and/or work with the parents to address their social issues to award them the opportunity for family success. Through education, advocacy and connections to community resources, parents are given the best opportunity for optimal development and stability for their child.
PFS provides intensive care services to:
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Children up to three years of age with chronic medical/health concerns and/or developmental delays
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Birth parent(s) with one or more of the following:
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Environmental and fi nancial impoverishment
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Developmental disability
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Drug or alcohol dependence
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Mental illness
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Office of Children and Youth involvement
Most referrals come from a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), a physician, or the Office of Children & Youth. PFS evaluates each referral and makes a decision on whether staff can assist the family on a case-by-case basis.