Children's Services Children ages birth to three years old and their families can take advantage of two programs at Abilities Plus.  These services are designed to meet the specific developmental needs of the children enrolled, as well as emphasize the importance of continued therapy conducted by the parents at home. Early Intervention Early Intervention (EI) is specially designed play activities that promote each child's developmental skills.  Children in this program have a diagnosed disability or a delay of 30 percent or greater.  Developmental, speech, occupational, and physical therapies are available to enrolled families as needed, and activities are designed to help children improve skills, such as walking, talking, grasping, socializing, and eating. Families benefit from developmental assessments every six months, home visits or center-based activities, scheduled family activities, playgroup sessions for children two years old, a wide array of resources, and a supportive team of therapists that strive to ensure each child reaches his or her greatest potential. Toddler, Infant, Parent Services This program, known as TIPS, helps those children that do not qualify for EI services.  Although some children in this program have mild delays, it is not necessary for enrollment into T.I.P.S.  The program focuses on serving families in a high risk category; however, those parents and caregivers desiring more information on child development may also qualify for the services.  Thanks to a grant provided by the Illinois State Board of Education, this program is free of charge to those who qualify. The mission of T.I.P.S. is "to collaborate with existing early childhood providers and school districts to educate and assist families of Illinois' at risk children to become more actively involved with the development of their children."  Families in T.I.P.S. can take advantage of a number of services, including a survey of a family's needs, monitoring of a child's health and nutrition, transitional pre-kindergarten programs, developmental assessments every six months, home visits or center-based activities with one of our Parent Child Educators, scheduled family activities, playgroup sessions for children 2 years old, and a wide array of resources. News/Updates Beginning in the spring of 2012, children in our EI and TIPS programs can take advantage of the new agency playground.  The playground is located on the north side of the Carol Blake Center and features a number of "stations."  This new addition was made possible through various donations and allows our therapists and staff to work with the children we serve in a new and exciting environment.  More Information If you would like more information about EI or T.I.P.S., including risk factors that qualify families for the T.I.P.S. program, visit the Contact Us page and contact the Director of Community Support.

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