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5 days ago

Community Consolidated School District 146

Learning for all

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Bridges: Birth-3

The Bridges Birth to 3 Program

Bridges Program Logo

Mission Statement
Our Birth to Five Program will build upon the families’ strengths while offering tools and knowledge to empower families to reach their full potential.

About Bridges
The District 146 Bridges Program serves families with children ages birth to three including prenatal mothers. The program is funded through the Prevention Initiative Grant by the State of Illinois’ Early Childhood Block Grant.

Bridges is a family centered program offering support to those with children under age 3, including prenatal mothers. Our collaborative approach includes:

  • Home visits
  • Child developmental screenings
  • Connecting families to community resources
  • Individualized, educational activities for you and your child
  • Family goal setting
  • Childhood transitions
  • Parenting support

Bridges Information

Step 1: Screening Request
If you have a child under 3 years of age, or are an expectant parent, please contact our team or complete and submit the screening request form.

 

Step 2: Proof of Residency and Income Verification
All families must provide proof of residency (Arabic, Spanish) and income verification (Arabic, Spanish) documents before enrollment into our program.  This is a requirement for all Early Learning Programs in the state of Illinois.

 

Step 3: Screening Home Visit
Please call (708) 614-4500 to request an eligibility screening. A Family Support Specialist will call to schedule a home visit appointment to conduct a child developmental screening and parent interview.

 

Step 4: Eligibility and Placement
Eligible families who choose to enroll will be assigned to a Family Support Specialist.  If your child is determined eligible for our program, based on availability, he/she will either be placed immediately or put on an enrollment wait list. The wait list is based on weighted eligibility criteria, and families most in need of services will be placed first.

Baby TALK Curriculum 
Baby TALK is a nationally recognized, research-based program where parents are valued as their child’s first, and best, teacher. The program employs a relationship based approach in order to come along side families to build upon and deepen connections between parent and child. Baby TALK provides developmentally appropriate parent-child activities aligned with Illinois Early Learning Guidelines.

Baby TALK is endorsed by the Illinois State Board of Education as an evidenced-based model to be used in programs funded by the Illinois Early Childhood Block Grant.

 

Family Support Specialists 
Our Family Support Specialists are certified Baby TALK practitioners. They will collaborate with you to set goals for your family and provide resources and community connections to achieve those goals. Family Support Specialists offer information about child development, parenting resources and ways to foster early education at home. They will promote healthy parent-child interactions through engaging and fun activities.

 

Group Encounters 
We offer a variety of free parent education events during the day, and in the evening, throughout the school year. Topics include parenting issues, school readiness and family engagement activities. 

Playgroups meet at Memorial School and are open to families with children from birth to five years old. Find out how to join the Birth to 5 TalkingPoints using the following fliers: English, Spanish, Arabic.

 

Parent Lending Library
Our parent lending library is available to all enrolled families and provides valuable resources and materials for your family.

  • Children’s books (titles available in Spanish & Arabic)
  • Puzzles
  • Educational games & toys
  • Parenting books
  • Community resource guidebooks & brochures
  • Music CDs

Brianne Oliver
Special Education and Early Learning Coordinator
708-614-4500, ext. 3120

Tiffany Hall
Birth to 3 Program Supervisor
(708) 614-4535, ext. 3571


Family Support Specialists
Haneen Abdulraheem
اتكلم اللغة العربية
(708) 608-1132

Mai Aburadi
اتكلم اللغة العربية 
(708) 608-1817

Claudia Daughtry
Se habla español
(708) 608-1265

Is there a fee for these services?
No, all program services are free for enrolled families.

 

How do I enroll in the program?
Please call our program at 708-614-4547 to request an eligibility screening. A Family Support Specialist will call to schedule a home visit appointment to conduct a child develop-mental screening and parent interview. Eligible families that choose to enroll will be assigned to a Family Support Specialist.

 

How often will you come to my home?
After enrollment, visits will either be weekly or every other week, depending on your family’s needs. Family Support Specialists will spend about an hour with you and your child at each visit.

 

How can I track my child's developmental milestones?
Click here for monitoring information from the CDC.

 

All Checklists with Tips
English
Spanish
Arabic
Brazilian Portuguese
Haitian Creole
Simplified Chinese
Somali
Vietnamese

 

What happens when my child turns 3?
During the 6 months prior to your child’s third birthday, your Family Support Specialist will work with you to plan your child’s next step, whether it is preschool, child care or some other activity that will support your goals for your child’s early education.

  • Step 1: Screening Request
    If you have a child under 3 years of age, or are an expectant parent, please contact our team or complete and submit the screening request form.

     

    Step 2: Proof of Residency and Income Verification
    All families must provide proof of residency (Arabic, Spanish) and income verification (Arabic, Spanish) documents before enrollment into our program.  This is a requirement for all Early Learning Programs in the state of Illinois.

     

    Step 3: Screening Home Visit
    Please call (708) 614-4500 to request an eligibility screening. A Family Support Specialist will call to schedule a home visit appointment to conduct a child developmental screening and parent interview.

     

    Step 4: Eligibility and Placement
    Eligible families who choose to enroll will be assigned to a Family Support Specialist.  If your child is determined eligible for our program, based on availability, he/she will either be placed immediately or put on an enrollment wait list. The wait list is based on weighted eligibility criteria, and families most in need of services will be placed first.

  • Baby TALK Curriculum 
    Baby TALK is a nationally recognized, research-based program where parents are valued as their child’s first, and best, teacher. The program employs a relationship based approach in order to come along side families to build upon and deepen connections between parent and child. Baby TALK provides developmentally appropriate parent-child activities aligned with Illinois Early Learning Guidelines.

    Baby TALK is endorsed by the Illinois State Board of Education as an evidenced-based model to be used in programs funded by the Illinois Early Childhood Block Grant.

     

    Family Support Specialists 
    Our Family Support Specialists are certified Baby TALK practitioners. They will collaborate with you to set goals for your family and provide resources and community connections to achieve those goals. Family Support Specialists offer information about child development, parenting resources and ways to foster early education at home. They will promote healthy parent-child interactions through engaging and fun activities.

     

    Group Encounters 
    We offer a variety of free parent education events during the day, and in the evening, throughout the school year. Topics include parenting issues, school readiness and family engagement activities. 

    Playgroups meet at Memorial School and are open to families with children from birth to five years old. Find out how to join the Birth to 5 TalkingPoints using the following fliers: English, Spanish, Arabic.

     

    Parent Lending Library
    Our parent lending library is available to all enrolled families and provides valuable resources and materials for your family.

    • Children’s books (titles available in Spanish & Arabic)
    • Puzzles
    • Educational games & toys
    • Parenting books
    • Community resource guidebooks & brochures
    • Music CDs

  • Brianne Oliver
    Special Education and Early Learning Coordinator
    708-614-4500, ext. 3120

    Tiffany Hall
    Birth to 3 Program Supervisor
    (708) 614-4535, ext. 3571


    Family Support Specialists
    Haneen Abdulraheem
    اتكلم اللغة العربية
    (708) 608-1132

    Mai Aburadi
    اتكلم اللغة العربية 
    (708) 608-1817

    Claudia Daughtry
    Se habla español
    (708) 608-1265

  • Is there a fee for these services?
    No, all program services are free for enrolled families.

     

    How do I enroll in the program?
    Please call our program at 708-614-4547 to request an eligibility screening. A Family Support Specialist will call to schedule a home visit appointment to conduct a child develop-mental screening and parent interview. Eligible families that choose to enroll will be assigned to a Family Support Specialist.

     

    How often will you come to my home?
    After enrollment, visits will either be weekly or every other week, depending on your family’s needs. Family Support Specialists will spend about an hour with you and your child at each visit.

     

    How can I track my child's developmental milestones?
    Click here for monitoring information from the CDC.

     

    All Checklists with Tips
    English
    Spanish
    Arabic
    Brazilian Portuguese
    Haitian Creole
    Simplified Chinese
    Somali
    Vietnamese

     

    What happens when my child turns 3?
    During the 6 months prior to your child’s third birthday, your Family Support Specialist will work with you to plan your child’s next step, whether it is preschool, child care or some other activity that will support your goals for your child’s early education.