Early Intervention

The target population of the early intervention program of Family Development is teenage parents and single parents. However, it is open to any new parents in the community. Approximately 45% of the families enrolled are teen mothers and 92% are single parents. As the program focuses on the importance of the first years of life, it stresses the role of the parent as the child's first teacher. The program is used on a four-fold philosophy: 
  1. a successful parenting education program must meet the needs of both parent and child;
  2. the program must be family centered;
  3. the first four years of life are crucial in the development of social, intellectual, and emotional competence; and
  4. a combination of home and center-based services is more effective than either of these components alone.
Services are delivered in four (4) forms: Home Visits, Prenatal Education, Parenting Education Classes, and Preschool Classes.
Home Visits
​This component involves home-based individual education of parents to the basic principles of parenting. These visits are scheduled bi-weekly with the client by the social worker or registered nurse. Families experiencing difficulties are seen more often. During these visits emphasis is placed on helping the mother develop confidence in her parenting ability,providing support, and reinforcement of good parenting behaviors. A primary focus of these home visits is the prevention of abuse including sexual abuse. Curriculum for the home visits includes but is not limited to:
  • ​Health and Nutrition Education
  • Physical Care
  • Infant Stimulation Training
  • Stages of Early Childhood
  • Behavior Management Counseling
  • Development Assessment
  • Personal and Family Counseling
  • ​Safety Education 
Prenatal Education
Expectant clients enter VFDS through prenatal class. After application and initial assessment, the pregnant enrollee meets weekly for one and one-half hours for prenatal class. The class is instructed by a qualified instructor on staff with VFDS. Curriculum content includes: Basic anatomy and conception, prenatal nutrition, discomforts and complications of pregnancy, labor and delivery, relaxation and breathing techniques, encouragement of mother-infant attachment, breastfeeding vs. bottle-feeding, postpartum period, care of the newborn, and birth control. Time is allowed during each of the prenatal classes for the mothers to share their thoughts and feelings about pregnancy and impeding motherhood. it is believed that the mother's attitude toward her pregnancy has a major impact on her future parenting skills. The staff, through home visits, serves as a resource person for delivery plans, follows up on prenatal care and services, and provides a support system and intervention for services as needed. Rapport is established at this critical time, and continues as the nurse visits in the home.
Parenting Education Classes
As a supplement to home visits, clients are invited to attend parenting classes at the center. Discussion topics follow the home visit curriculum and address current issues of interest. There are classes scheduled for the entire client population on topics of general interest/concern. Issues of abuse, including sexual abuse and domestic violence, are discussed which may involve past abuse suffered by the mother and her role in protecting her children from abuse. In addition to staff conducted classes, health care professionals and community resource persons are invited to speak on special topics. The classes not only address an interest or area of concern of the clients, but provide an opportunity to interact with their peers and form informal support groups. 
Preschool Classes
Center-based preschool classes are conducted for two and three olds enrolled in VFDS. Also accepted for this service are children ages two to three years whose families are receiving services from the Vicksburg Child Abuse Prevention Center or Haven House Family Shelter. One group of two and three year old children meets twice a week for 1 and 1/2 hours, on Tuesday and on Thursday. The families of the two year olds continue to receive bi-weekly home visits. The families of three old children receive one home visit per month unless more visits are needed because they are at high risk for development delays and /or abuse and neglect. Transportation is provided.