Families with young children are encouraged to attend the upcoming ICC Developmental Fair for free screenings, educational and fun activities and a raffle, said McKinley Phillips, Sunflower Early Education Center (EEC) director.
The event is set for 3:30 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 3, at the Great Bend Public Library, 1409 Williams. It focuses on children ages birth to 5.
The host is the Central Kansas ICC, which scheduled the event in observance of the Week of the Young Child. ICC stands for Interagency Coordinating Council.
The ICC is comprised of community partners such as mental- and physical-health agencies, preschools, Parents as Teachers and the EEC staff.
“Our free Developmental Fair brings these entities together to provide information for families,” Phillips noted. “In addition to the screenings for infants and toddlers, our local partners will interact with visitors to their booths and share information about local resources available to families.”
The agenda includes the screenings for ages birth through 2. The EEC staff will screen for vision, hearing, child development and social-emotional development. Average time for a screening is 30 minutes.
“These free screenings are a great way for parents to have their children evaluated by a team of developmental specialists,” Phillips commented. “Parents shouldn’t be concerned about the screenings because they are recommended for all children during the early years of their lives.
“If a concern is detected, Sunflower EEC’s Infant Toddler Team will collaborate with parents to access our free developmental services,” Phillips emphasized.
While walk-ins are welcome, parents are strongly encouraged to schedule screenings to guarantee a spot. Sunflower transportation is offered to screening participants, when necessary; car seats are available.
The screening and transportation appointments can be made at the same time.
ICC information
The Interagency Coordinating Council is the local branch of a statewide network. It was developed as a way for community partners to coordinate and identify supports and services for infants and toddlers with developmental delays up to age 3.
“Our ICC meets quarterly to discuss up-to-date information from the various agencies,” Phillips said. “We offer support to one another, while learning about local projects and services.”
The ICC consists of at least one of the following: a parent with a child who is eligible for Part C/infant toddler services; and representatives of a school, health agency, social-services agency and a Part C professional.
