Le Bonheur Early Intervention and Development
Le Bonheur Early Intervention And Development (LEAD) provides a comprehensive array of support services designed to meet the needs of children with developmental delays. As an Early Intervention Resource Agency, LEAD provides services to children with delays and/or disabilities.
Our staff is comprised of more than 70 trained, credentialed, and experienced Associates, working under the direction of a licensed, board certified developmental pediatrician. Associates include licensed pediatric speech-language pathologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, intake coordinators, nurse, adaptive equipment specialist, early childhood educators, classroom teachers, teacher assistants and management team.
Designated as an Early Intervention Resource Agency (EIRA) by Tennessee’s Department of Education, LEAD is committed to providing exceptional care and services to children from birth to three years with developmental delays and/or disabilities.
Therapists and early interventionists at LEAD are dedicated to working with children and families to enhance developmental growth, improve independence, encourage full inclusion of children with special needs into the community and empower families to become advocates. Early Intervention Services are provided in homes, community-based childcare centers and in the LEAD center inside Le Bonheur Children’s. LEAD understands the unique and changing needs of the family and uses a transdisciplinary team-based approach to providing services.
LEAD receives referrals from Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS). More than 500 children and their families in Shelby, Tipton, Lauderdale and Fayette counties receive early intervention from LEAD each year.
Children who benefit from LEAD’s early intervention program include children who
- are born prematurely.
- have genetic, neurological, or acquired disorders.
- have sensory impairments.
- experience developmental delays or are at risk for delays.
- have feeding difficulties.
Once the concerns and priorities of the family are identified, the Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) is developed, with guidance from TEIS, to define family goals and steps to take in order to achieve them. The interventionists providing services focus on and address all areas of need. The interventionists works with the child and family as a team, with one team member serving as a “primary” interventionist with other professionals consulting. Research has proven that children and families in early intervention benefit the most from establishing a relationship with a single, knowledgeable service provider. Regular communication takes place among team members on the progress of the child and family outcomes.
Memphis Delta Interagency Coordinating Council
LEAD is a member of the Memphis Delta Interagency Coordinating Council-(MDICC), which is a collaboration of agencies interested in the provision of services to children birth to five years of age with disabilities in Tipton, Shelby, Lauderdale and Fayette Counties.
The purpose of MDICC is to
develop agreements and processes to ensure appropriate service delivery to infants and toddlers with disabilities.
- help the local Tennessee Early Intervention System network with early intervention providers.
- promote public awareness of early intervention services.
- advise and assist new programs in early intervention.
- provide information to the state interagency coordinating council about local issues.
- develop agreements to ensure timely referral of infants and toddlers who might need early intervention services.
- promote a smooth transition to services for children after three years of age.
Participants in the Memphis Delta ICC include
Parents of infants and children with disabilities aged 8 or younger,
Providers of early intervention services,
Representatives from:
Head Start
Child care programs
Health Department
School systems
And other interested parties
