Raná péče Diakonie
(Early Intervention Diakonia)

We are here for families who are concerned about their children's development

Early Intervention Diaconia helps families with children from their birth up to 7 years of age

  • with a mental, physical or combined disability
  • with threatened or delayed development 
  • with autism spectrum disorder


Early Intervention is free of charge

We visit families in their homes.

Table of contents

How to request Early Intervention service

By phone:
+420 235 518 392
Mo – Fri 9:00 – 16:00 hod.

By e-mail:
info@rana-pece.cz

We will need to provide the following information:

  • your name
  • your child’s name and date of birth
  • place of residence
  • a brief explanation of the reason for your service request

1.

The first contact is typically initiated by the service coordinator. She will take your contact details and inform you either by phone or by email about available service options. She will also inform you whether services are available or whether our capacity is full.

2.

Within a few days, an early intervention counselor from your region will contact you and arrange a phone call. Together with you we will focus on your situation and your current needs with regards to early intervention service.

Depending on our current capacity in your region, the counselor will also offer you:

  • a meeting at your home, if possible with regard to our capacity
  • when capacity is full – placement on the waiting list and/or meeting at the early intervention center (can also be done by phone or Skype)

 

Service capacity

Service capacity varies from region to region. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to provide service immediately. We are very sorry that we are unable to meet some of you at a time when you need early intervention the most. Even in this case, however, we try to help as much as conditions allow.

 

How the Early Intervention service works

The first meeting at your home

Before the first meeting at your home can take place, we must schedule a date and time when the counselors will come to your home. Two counselors will attend the first meeting and following meetings will be handled by one of them.

In the first meeting we will discuss your expectations and determine what your cooperation with early intervention services should look like. This meeting will also help us establish a baseline for how to support your child’s development, based on observing your child’s play and discussion with you.

How the meetings are proceed

Meetings with an early intervention counselor usually take place in your home. Meetings are approximately two hours long and take place on weekdays. The interval between meetings is established based on the goals of our cooperation we agreed on, but can be adjusted to your actual needs. It is possible to have up to 6 meetings per year, and in between it can be useful to address current topics by phone or email. Early Intervention shows you the options. You choose the ones that are right for you at the moment! You will be able to discuss with counselor about current topics related to your child’s development, and together you will find ways to support your child’s development through play. If necessary, you can also address questions about social counseling, your child’s needs, and help you to find the right education form for your child. The counselor can also work on your behalf in other ways – she can look for useful contacts for you and/or arrange supportive meetings with another professional.  A more detailed service description can be found in the Diakonia Early Intervention Service Offer document

Early Intervention Service termination

Early Intervention can last up to the child’s seventh birthday.

It may be terminated earlier if:

  • all cooperation objectives have been met
  • the family no longer wants to use the service (you are not obliged to give a reason)
  • the family has stopped fulfilling the service provision conditions (change of residence or health reasons, not respecting the conditions of cooperation we agreed on). .

Frequently Asked Questions

1.

Our child has been diagnosed as being at risk in his/her development.
How can Early Intervention help us?

Discussion with an early intervention counselor can help you better understand your situation. The counselor will ask how you see your child and what you need most in relation to his or her specific development: ideas on how to help your little girl or boy develop through play? What tools or therapies can you use/attend? What can you ask for in terms of social benefits? Do you need iformation about education? We don’t provide one-size fits all procedures because not everyone needs the same kind of care. Parents can choose their own path – we offer a map to  show which way they can go. So you can expect to learn what can be done in your situation. What you do next is up to you!

2.

Our child has no diagnosis, but we see that development is not progressing well...

Each one of us is different and has our own pace of development, our own strengths and weaknesses. We don’t necessarily require medical reports or a diagnosis. Our assessment is based on observing how, with what and with whom the child plays, on its reactions, and also based on discussion with you. We then devise „tailor-made approaches“ aimed at support the child in areas where it may have difficulties. Preferably through fun and play!

3.

Where and how often meetings take place, how do they progress and how long do they take? How do we prepare for the meeting?

Meetings take place in your home (at least three, usually six per year) and last about one and a half to two hours. In between meetings you can also contact the counselor by phone or email to discuss your needs. It’s good to think in advance about the topics you want to discuss (some parents have them written down), think about which areas of your child’s development are important to you and what additional information you need right now. Sometimes a topic will come up during the conversation with the counselor. Sometimes the conversation helps people to find the answers they are looking for themselves.

4.

We thought Early Intervention was a service for families of children with disabilities... but that’s not us, is it? Aren't we taking space away from those in need?

Early Intervention can be used – even if briefly – by any family concerned with their baby’s development. Therefore, we frequently consider together with the family whether or not Early Intervention is helping and how it is helping specifically. If it is helpful to you, you are not taking the space away from someone in need. Then, once you get oriented and know what to do on your own, the service ends.

5.

Capacity of Early Intervention is full and we are not able to provide you our service. What else can we do besides wait?

If our ccapacity is full, we will offer you a place on our waiting list and a meeting to discuss your situation and your concerns.  You might also look for another Early Intervention provider (provider organizations are specialized according to the predominant type of difficulties children have) – see also answer 6 for more information.

6.

We live in a different region than your service covers. And our child has visual and hearing impairment. Who can we contact in this case?

There are several Early Intervention providers in the Czech Republic.
You can look at the interactive map (link HERE) to find a provider near you who you can contact to see if they have free capacity and specialize in your child’s difficulties.

Family experiences - videos

For English subtitles, click on the settings icon at the bottom of the video screen.

1.

What came into your mind when you heard about Early Intervention Diakonia?

2.

How did you feel when you contacted Early Intervention Diakonia?

3.

How did Early Intervention Diakonia help you?

4.

What would you say about Early Intervention Diakonia after your experience with it?

5.

Would you recommend Early Intervention Diakonia to others and if yes, then why?