Support is Education & Coaching

November 12, 2019

With the Infant Support Team, support is educating and coaching families of NICU graduates to enhance overall growth and development.

The Infant Support Team (IST) was created within the Early Intervention Program in 2015 in order to address the unique needs of families who have a newborn with a condition that results in admission to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) immediately after birth.

Back then, it could take months for families to receive supports in their home after being discharged from the NICU. Now, it is only a matter of days, and most families meet at least one person from the IST before leaving the hospital.

This team is comprised of:

Occupational Therapists
Developmental Interventionists
Physical Therapists
Registered Dietitians
Certified Lactation Counselors
A Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Speech Therapists
Early Intervention Service Coordinators

They have a specialized focus in collaboration and cross-training in order to provide the best support possible to infants and their families. Further, they believe it is essential to work together with parents to find strategies and solutions that meet their specific needs, and coach them in a way that fits into their everyday routines.

They play, learn and grow together with each family they support.

Parent Testimonials after working with IST for six months:

“The Infant Support Team (IST) has been a huge help and blessing to our family… Every time our therapist came they had advice and strategies about how to work with my infant. It took a huge weight off my shoulders as a mother because I was shown and given the strategies to help work with my little one. I think the IST is an invaluable resource to families with newborns that qualify. I really appreciate everything my team has done for our infant.”

“Our Provider has taught me how to follow my daughters cues, and to not push her to hard or get discouraged. Our provider has been an awesome asset to our family, and I cannot imagine any way to improve! We are very thankful for her support.”

Parent Testimonial after working with IST for 1 year:

“Our IST helped us understand what to look for in our daughter with regards to emotional and physical development. They offered us very practical strategies and exercise to use to help with our daughter’s physical needs as well as to sooth for improved sleep. Because of our work with our IST I feel way less stressed and worried about our daughter and her development. This ensures us to have a more relaxed, peaceful and calm relationship. WOW! It’s really difficult to come up with ways our team could improve, they are so well informed, educated, organized caring and helpful. I wish ALL parents could have the support that we’ve had.”