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Intensive Early Care ^SM

Most of our families come to us with a history of trying to provide treatment and education using local therapists and psychiatrists, behavioral contracts at home, private tutors and accommodations at school. Sometimes these efforts have been incomplete, insufficient or inadequate in changing the existing patterns. However, it may be that with additional services and a more coordinated and integrated effort, an out-of-home placement can be prevented. For these families we now offer our Intensive Early Care ^SM (IEC), an in-home treatment and assessment program.

Intensive Early Care ^SM is most appropriate when all of the following conditions can be met:

• Keeping the child at home won't pose a significant safety risk.
• There is not serious substance abuse.
• The parents can identify an appropriate educational setting for their child.
• The parents are willing and able to devote adequate time and effort needed to IEC to make it a successful endeavor.
• There is at least one positive peer willing to help support the child.
• The parents can identify a competent set of professionals (e.g., a therapist) to support the family’s efforts.

IEC Options and Services

In such cases, we at ECS can provide a customized set of options that could include in-home family coaching, 24/7 access to their IEC specialist, increased coordination and communication amongst all professionals and family members, a teen or young adult library, drug testing, a parenting library and parenting seminars. In addition to these options, ECS consultants provide the following services:

• Determining the appropriateness of Intensive Early Care ^SM and the design of specific IEC components necessary for an effective plan.
• Overseeing the entire IEC process.
• Referral to a testing specialist for further psychological and educational assessment (when needed).
• Participating in regular family check-ins.
• Preparing a set of post-IEC recommendations, including level and types of services needed.