Early Intervention

Early Intervention


Director’s Welcome

Maria Malapoe-Streko, MSW, LSW Director of Early Intervention & In-district Support Services

Welcome to St Joseph’s Early Intervention, a quality program dedicated to improving results for infants and toddlers who are blind/visually impaired and/or with additional disabilities and their families/ caregivers. Throughout our long history, our team of specialists have designed unique programs to meet the special needs of each child which promotes every opportunity for a successful transition to an appropriate preschool program. 

Our teaching methods include collaboration with and instruction for families/caregivers which further reinforces and strengthens each child’s learning opportunity. By working together, we can provide a comprehensive program that incorporates all areas of development and creates a safe home environment for the child to progress. We are committed to providing only the highest quality training for every child  in our care. 

Sincerely yours,
Maria Malapoe-Streko, MSW, LSW 
Director of Early Intervention 

St. Joseph’s School for the Blind’s Early Intervention program provides in-home services to infants and toddlers (birth to age three) who are blind, visually impaired and/or with additional disabilities.

Overview

St. Joseph’s School for the Blind’s Early Intervention program provides in-home services to infants and toddlers (birth to age three) who are blind, visually impaired and/or with additional disabilities. 

  • Early Intervention is a direct service provider of the New Jersey Early Intervention System (NJEIS).
  • Early Intervention’s Social Worker and certified Teachers of the Visually Impaired work with the child and family in fostering a home environment conducive to teaching the child how to compensate for blindness and visual impairments. 
  • EI Teachers perform functional vision assessments.
  • Individual Family Service Plans [IFSP’s) are developed in conjunction with the family to address  the ongoing and unique needs of every infant and toddler served. 
  • The El staff works cooperatively with parents and caregivers to promote a smooth transition for children to a wide range of preschool options at age three.

Early Intervention teachers, social workers, and program administrators’ work cooperatively with the family to meet the individual developmental needs of each child.

Program Process

Assessment

El teachers are part of New Jersey’s Early Intervention Evaluation Team assigned to assess a child with presumptive visual diagnosis and/or a suspected visual concern for eligibility for El services. The teachers administer a functional vision assessment. The El program staff often collaborates with other early interventionists (e.g., physical, occupational and/or speech therapists) to ensure that a comprehensive evaluation is completed to assess all needs.

Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP):

Early Interventionists work cooperatively with families/caregivers to develop an IFSP addressing the needs of each child. The IFSP is a unique instruction plan to ensure each child can reach their greatest potential. The IFSP outlines the services that each child will receive and identifies each child’s goals. 

Developmental Vision Instruction:

The teachers promote a relationship-based model in which teachers work closely with the family to strengthen the bond that the parent has with the child and is able to reinforce skills that are being taught by the teachers during the home and community visits.

Transition Planning:

The overall goal of El is to successfully transition children who are blind, visually impaired and/or with additional disabilities to an appropriate preschool program at age three. To that end, the El teacher and social worker are available to attend the Transition Planning Conference. 

Staff

Early Intervention staff includes a professional team of New Jersey Certified Teachers of the Visually Impaired with a background in special education. 

Overseeing the staff is the EI and Clinic Director, Maria Malapoe-Streko, MSW, LSW providing services for children who are blind, visually impaired and/or with additional disabilities. 

Ms. Malapoe-Streko oversees all functions of the program and works directly with the NJ Early Intervention System to ensure all client referrals are processed and maintained in accordance with agency guidelines.

St. Joseph’s School for the Blind’s Early Intervention program provides in-home services to infants and toddlers (birth to age three) who are blind, visual impaired and/or with additional disabilities.

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