|
NMSBVI Programs -
Family-Infant-Toddler Program
List of Developmental Vision Specialists for Birth-3 Program
New Mexico School for the Blind and
Visually Impaired Early Childhood Programs for children birth to 3 years
old provides services to young children who have a diagnosed visual
impairment or who are considered to be “at risk” for receiving a visual
impairment diagnosis. Partnering with New Mexico’s Family, Infant,
Toddler Program (FIT), and the Navajo Nation, NMSBVI provides an array
of vision support services to children, families, agencies, and
hospitals. New Mexico families are not charged for vision services.
Who should be
referred to NMSBVI?
Any child between the ages of birth and three years old:
-
Who has been diagnosed
with a vision impairment;
-
Who has an established
condition that places them at risk for vision impairment.
Established conditions can include but are not limited to:
prematurity, many different syndromes, a family history of visual
impairment, or traumatic events such as oxygen deprivation,
meningitis, or shaken baby syndrome;
-
Whose family or team
is concerned about some aspect of the child’s vision; or
-
Whose results on the
New Mexico Vision Screening Tool indicate need for a referral.
Who can make a referral to NMSBVI?
Anyone with knowledge about a child who may need vision support
services can, with the family’s permission, make a referral. Referrals
can be made by calling 1-800-437-3505, extension 4407 or by calling the
Developmental Vision Specialist responsible for an agency’s referrals.
(Please see attached list of contacts by area of the state).
What happens after a referral is made?
Within 48 hours of receiving a referral, a developmental vision
specialist from NMSBVI will contact the family. An initial functional
vision evaluation will be completed; eligibility will be determined and,
in conjunction with the family and the child’s team, services will be
outlined if recommended.
What services are available from NMSBVI
for infants and toddlers?
-
Consultation to the
family and/or community service providers, therapists, etc.
-
Direct services to the
child and family.
-
Functional Vision
Evaluations.
-
Developmental
intervention strategies to support the development of
visual/compensatory visual skills.
-
Information about
blindness/visual impairment.
-
Referral and resource
information for families.
-
Consultation/participation in agency assessments.
-
Participation in IFSP
and other team meetings.
-
Orientation and
Mobility Evaluations.
-
Orientation and
Mobility Services for children and families.
-
Orientation and
Mobility Consultation and Training for Teams and Agencies.
-
Transition support
from birth to three to preschool programs.
-
Parent support.
-
Training for
child-specific teams as well as for organizations seeking additional
knowledge about vision and its impact on development.
NMSBVI is committed to providing a
comprehensive program of developmental, educational, training and
support services to infants and toddlers who are blind or visually
impaired or those who are at risk for visual impairment. NMSBVI’s
developmental vision specialists are trained as teachers of the visually
impaired and/or as orientation and mobility specialists. They have
specialized skills in the field of early childhood that encompass the
developmental domains of young children. NMSBVI’s services do not
replace, but supplement other specialized services in the community.
Services are available state-wide; each child is served in his/her
natural environment.
Family-Infant-Toddler Program Coordinator:
Cindy Faris
Phone 505-859-0427
cfaris@nmsbvi.k12.nm.us
NMSBVI Early Childhood Programs
801 Stephen Moody St. SE, Albuquerque, NM 87123
(800) 437-3505, extension 4407
Fax: (505)
291-5456
Additional Resources
|
