`EARLY INTERVENTION' WORKSHOP TOPIC

A program emphasizing family centered intervention for infants and toddlers with special needs will be offered at Southeast Missouri State University next month.

The workshop will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., June 7-10 in the University Center.

"An Interdisciplinary Approach to Early Intervention" will be sponsored by the university and the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

The institute will orient professional providers of special services, parents and administrators to Missouri's "First Steps Early Intervention Program for Children with Disabilities."

The curriculum will address federal and state policies and procedures associated with the implementation of appropriate services for children. The First Steps Program will be discussed, with an emphasis on interdisciplinary and interagency teaming in the delivery of services.

"This institute deals with the interdisciplinary approach regarding early intervention for special needs children from birth to 3 years. It will teach participants how to be a member of a team," said Marcia Brown, assistant professor of communication disorders and coordinator of the institute.

The institute is targeted for parents and a variety of professionals, including speech-language pathologists, audiologists, early childhood educators, dietitians, educational administrators, counselors, physical therapists, occupational therapists, nurses, physicians, service coordinators, social workers and psychologists.

Faculty from Southeast's College of Health and Human Services and the College of Education will present the institute. Enrollment is limited to 35 participants.

Participants may earn two semester hours of credit at the undergraduate, graduate or audit levels. Fees for Missouri residents are $168 for graduate credit and $156 for undergraduate credit and will be collected on the first day of the course.

A scholarship to cover course fees is available for a parent of a child with special needs. The deadline to apply for the scholarship is June 1. To apply for the scholarship or enroll in the course, contact Brown at (314) 651-2188.