Specifically, with Early Head Start, each week, when the Family Specialist would come, we would work with Bradley to help him achieve his goals and at the same time, the specialist would teach me things that I needed to do with him when she wasn’t there to help him achieve those goals. Most of the time, our goals were simple things that are part of normal development but which he was behind in. Some of these were: sitting unsupported, crawling, walking, getting him to turn towards voices, getting him to make eye contact, helping him learn to sign words like "milk" or "more", getting him to say words, etc.

We worked jointly with Early Head Start and Early intervention for several months. When Bradley was about 1 ½ years old, Early Intervention determined that he had progressed far enough that we didn’t need their services any more. We continued on with Early Head Start until he was just about 35 months old. Early Head Start helped us make sure he was progressing properly with his speech and social skills. Those were the two areas in which he was still struggling a little when we ended services with Early Intervention. They also worked on the other areas in which he was already functioning at an age appropriate level so that he would continue to grow properly in those areas as well. With their guidance, Bradley is now completely caught up in all areas and even excels in his language.

Overall, we feel so grateful for these two programs and the role they played in helping us get Bradley on track. While we will never know for sure how Bradley would have turned out had we not been blessed with help from these agencies, we feel confident that without their help, he likely wouldn’t be the happy, healthy, social boy we have today.

Sumnima was having poor appetite. She was very choosy with food and used to eat only a little because of which she was not gaining weight when she was first enrolled in the program. I mentioned the problem to her Family Specialist. We discussed about the problem and eating habits. She gave some valuable tips and provided us with leaflets and pamphlets about hygienic foods and health and hygiene. She also shared a lot of valuable information and our joint effort has brought great improvements in my daughter’s eating habits. She eats much better than before and she is healthy.

I used to spend $40-$100 per month for diapers and now because of potty training lessons she doesn’t need diapers. She has gained and improved communication and other skills. She has developed interest in learning new skills such as reading and writing and asks unending questions. She can identify shapes, colors, and differentiate between small and big, hot and cold. She does some counting as well. She is even able to memorize some verses of Nepali song which indicates development in her memory or memorizing ability. She has improved her speech and interactive ability. She is good at matching shapes, colors, and other things. She has grown a lot smarter than before.

We consider ourselves lucky to have the Family Specialist we did as she is one of the most awesome ladies that we have ever met. We enjoyed immensely working with her. We thank our Family Specialist for help, support, and her services. We also would like to thank DDI VANTAGE Early Head Start for their services.

Early Head Start has been such a blessing to my family. They have helped us by teaching us positive discipline, parenting techniques, and giving us tips on potty training. The father reading program has helped our son with his speech and understanding. We all enjoy story time now, it has helped us bond as a family. DDI VANTAGE has also taught us how to get on our child’s level for him to understand and communicate.

I feel this program is a wonderful program. My husband and I are both disabled and on a fixed income. We were told and referred to resources in the community for assistance. Our Family Specialist was wonderful with both of us and our son. She was patient, helpful, and informative with what was going on in the community.

Thank you DDI VANTAGE for all the assistance.

The Whaleys

As a family, it was a very important experience for us being part of Early Head Start, because we learned a lot of information about responsibilities, communication, changes, discipline and places, we had the opportunity to know very nice people like the teachers and therapists like: Julia Deery, Caylee H, Philip Young, and the personal visits from Martha Camez and her supervisors whom are very professional, all directed by Martha Velasco.

Before we never belonged to an institution like this and I don’t think there is another institution like this because this is totally unique.  We benefited from the program in many ways: like setting up goals, gross and fine motor evaluations, cognitive, language, self- help, social/emotional, were they could indicate and tell about the children’s development, health, and hearing stages.  We learned very interesting topics about health, hygiene, safety, nutrition, post partum depression, self-help, information about areas of concern and possible solutions.

This is a great program where they can teach how to be a parent and teacher for our children, with help from patient, qualified and professional personnel in all areas.  Now we are full of experiences, memories, and knowledge and beautiful moments like when we went to the Aquarium, aviary, farm, swimming pool, firefighters, bowling, little race cars, children’s museum, dinosaurs museum,  dress up party, little gym, parents meetings, crafts, dinners, socializations, parent committee, donations, Christmas presents and pictures.

Different classes like: potty training, basic signs for babies and the deaf, yoga, positive discipline (I learned how to say NO appropriately) stress management, time management, finances, and connection with community resources and services like fairs, story time at the library, recreation and cultural centers.  This is an educational program for the parent that is free and we are reimbursed for the gas we use.

The changes and progress in my pregnancy, the birth of my two children Brandon and Diana, supported by EHS and Early Intervention, and the transition stage when they turned three years old, were very smooth and normal thanks to DDI Vantage.  This included how to choose especial education, preschool, Play and Learn, where they can develop personal, emotional and social abilities, and they learned how to share, how to clean up their toys, take turns and how to connect with other children and teachers through games and music. With Musikgarten they learned through music, song and dance, how to imitate, communicate and have fun.

Everything was a beautiful experience, especially when my husband won “Father of the year” 2007, thanks to all mentioned above.  In conclusion what we wish is that we can be able to be good parents the best we can, and that my children know what is good and bad, that they can be respectful, trustworthy, responsible, just, human and good citizens.