Parents
Download the CFDC
Family Handbook (pdf)
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Program Overview
The UIC Child & Family Development Center
(CFDC) is a Center within the College of Education at the University
of Illinois at Chicago. The Child & Family Development Center
has three goals:
- To work with families so that they can meet their children's
needs more effectively
- To share with other professionals what we learn from families
- To help university students learn about young children and
families
To make sure that we are using recommended and evidence-based
practices to support children and families, CFDC professionals
follow guidelines developed by leading professional organizations.
CFDC services are designed to be high quality, flexible, and
responsive to the needs and priorities of children and families
living in an urban environment.
You can read about the program standards that we use by clicking
on this link
to the national Division for Early Childhood (DEC) and searching
for the Recommended Practices products.
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CFDC Services & Supports
- Assessment of the strengths and needs of
children and families
- Introduction and Orientation to special
education services in Illinois
- Intervention Services:
- Home-based Services: Many times, parents
want help in getting through the daily routine and CFDC
staff assists you and your child in the home. We can help
with feeding, bathing, learning how to dress, or any other
areas of home help that you identify.
- Community-based services: If your child
regularly attends day care, Head Start, or another community-based
activity, we can work with you and your child in those
locations. Our goal is to meet the needs of families where
it's convenient for them!
- Support and Education Services: Helping
children means helping families on any number of issues. CFDC
staff has expertise in diverse topics including child development,
behavior management, supporting good communication, nutrition,
conflict resolution, and understanding the educational system.
- Transition Services: Your family will experience
many transitions during the next few years and CFDC staff
will help your family get ready for those changes. Perhaps
the most challenging changeover is when your child turns three
and that is when early intervention services end and preschool
begins.
- Advocacy: We can help you learn more about
community services that will help your child grow and learn.
- Personnel Preparation: CFDC is a university
program that shares the responsibility of training students
and practicing professionals with other units on campus. Our
students come to CFDC for training experiences and CFDC appreciates
you sharing your experiences and knowledge with our trainees.
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Information for Families
If you suspect your child is lagging behind in his or her development,
you can have your concerns addressed by contacting the Child
and Family Connections (CFC) office nearest you. This office
will work with you to set up an evaluation for your child. Early
intervention services may be appropriate to help address your
child's needs.
To find the CFC office located near you, download this
PDF file or visit the Provider
Connections website.
To learn more about early intervention services in Illinois,
or simply to learn more about child and family development resources,
we recommend you visit The
Illinois Early Intervention Training website. Click on their
"Links" section to find many helpful resources for
parents.
The CFDC also has a list of resources and links available,
please click on our Resources link
on the top right of the screen.
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