Overview of the Special Needs Project, Year 2

FIRST 5 California is pleased to announce that the communities of Willits and Covelo will be served by the Special Needs Project, an exciting demonstration project that promotes early mental health screening of all children and provides access to support services if needed. The project has the potential to impact the lives of many young children and their families in Mendocino County.

The local projects, known as  WEAVE (We Encourage and Value Education) in Round Valley and WISH (Willits Inclusion Services for Health and development) in Willits, will include all children ages 0-5 in these communities. 

FIRST 5 Mendocino collaborated on the  State’s Special Needs Project grant with several partners: Mendocino County Office of Education, Departments of Social Services,  Public Health, Mental Health, Redwood Coast Regional Center, North Coast Opportunities, Round Valley Indian Health Center, Round Valley Unified School District and Willits Unified School District. These partners have demonstrated their solid commitment to the children and families in these communities and are implementing best practices in the areas of universal screening, service delivery and full inclusion opportunities, or USA (Universal Screening Access).

USA project members will partner with parents of children between 0-5 and help the parent understand their child’s development by using the AGES and STAGES Questionnaire.  Parents will identify their child’s strengths and progress as well as link with resources to encourage and ensure that development. Project members will help families access appropriate services if needed and/or requested. For example, parents without a primary care health provider will be linked with consistent care, or a “medical home.”  Parents who are struggling or feeling overwhelmed will be linked with a support group. The goal is to establish a neighborhood network of resources and support for all families. 

A need may be identified for which no services are available, which will serve as useful information for professionals statewide.  Because the Willits and Covelo sites are demonstration sites for the state, the data collected regarding the needs of children in our communities could not only benefit the children in Willits and Covelo, but also children in the entire state. 

For more information on the USA; WEAVE and WISH projects call (707) 459-7538 or visit the Special Needs Project web site at http://www.first5caspecialneeds.org/about.htm