Project Description:
The Mission of the Seacoast Child Development Clinic is to promote a child’s strengths to achieve his or her full and meaningful participation in the community. Collaboration with community providers is an essential component of the evaluation. We provide family centered, culturally sensitive, interdisciplinary evaluation and consultation in support of families and community professionals. This program is a clinical component of the University Center of Excellence in partnership with the Dartmouth Center for Genetics and Child Development and the Institute on Disability, and the School of Health and Human Services at the University of New Hampshire. The clinic is partially supported by funding from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, U.S. Department of Public Health and serves as a training site for graduate students and fellows from UNH and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. Professionals and faculty from both UNH and Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center staff the clinic, and graduate interns are part of the interdisciplinary team. Trainees gain experience in providing family-centered, community-based, culturally sensitive, interdisciplinary services. They also serve in leadership roles on behalf of children with disabilities and their families.
The purpose of the Seacoast Child Development Clinic is to assist families of children who have developmental challenges by providing evaluation and professional consultation that supports informed decision-making regarding medical, developmental, and educational needs. We provide services to children with developmental disabilities and related conditions by utilizing a team approach. The typical evaluation involves a developmental pediatrician, an educational psychologist, a communication specialist, an occupational therapist, and a Clinic Coordinator. Based on concerns and questions from the family and referring professionals, the Clinic Coordinator and team arrange for the appropriate specialists to be involved in the evaluation. The goal is to provide services that are comprehensive, family-centered, and culturally sensitive. As a result of the evaluation process, families or individuals can expect to learn:
* Information regarding a child’s communication, learning, physical, or emotional abilities
* Approaches for use at home, in the community, or at school to support development and learning
* Guidance regarding developmental stages and transitions
* Sources of family and peer support
* Identification of educational needs
* A medical diagnosis and appropriate follow-up that may be needed
* Medical or related services that may be needed to assist with or treat the identified developmental concerns
* Information about community resources, and methods for addressing financial concerns, or access to care
In addition to the evaluation, the Seacoast Clinic team provides information and support regarding children’s development to community medical and educational teams.
Supported by:
Dartmouth Center for Genetics and Child Development
Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Grant # 6 T73 MC 00024-08-01 U.S. Public Health Service
University of New Hampshire, Institute on Disability, and the School of Health and Human Services
Target Audience:
Students/Trainees (long or intermediate trainees), Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Limited English, Geographic Areas, Rural/Remote
