Offered through DSC’s Family Development is a free home visiting program called Parent Wonders. Parent Wonders is available in Champaign County to families and their children, ages prenatal through three years. The program is funded by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and utilizes the evidence-based, family engagement model, BabyTALK. An Infant Family Support Specialist (IFSS) meets with families in their homes twice a month and incorporates the BabyTALK curriculum to come alongside families during home visits and creates activities for the family to do together to support their child’s development. Through the use of LanguageLine Interpretation services, Parent Wonders is able to work with families whose primary language is not English.
The IFSS conducts developmental screenings with the parent/caregiver using a variety of assessments, including vision and hearing, to monitor child development. If the IFSS finds the child needs additional support, they can refer the child to Early Intervention (EI) or other community services.
Parent Wonders collaborates with other agencies and works with the family to complete referrals, which connect them to such community resources as WIC through the Champaign–Urbana Public Health Department (CUPHD), new car seats through the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), the Housing Authority of Champaign County, and many more. In addition to offering home-based services, Parent Wonders partners with Salt & Light and hosts monthly playgroups for families. During these groups, parents/caregivers can meet other families, create a fun craft with their child, and play in the designated children’s area.
Learn more about Parent Wonders and Family Development by contacting DSC's Director of Family Development, Nicole Smith, at nsmith@dsc-illinois.org or (217) 356-9176.
