Information on UAMS Early Child Care Program

The University of Arkansas Medical System (UAMS) is well known for its pediatric programs that support children 6 weeks to 4 years old with special needs. Among the many programs available for this age group, the UAMS programs for day care and community collaboration are among the top in the United States. Children with special health issues have specific needs that are addressed with the UAMS early child care program. Needs include those with specific conditions such as ADD, community awareness efforts and education for child-care providers.

Kids First

• The Kids First program is offered by the University of Arkansas Medical System. According to the Pediatrics Division of UAMS, the Kids First program is designed to be an early intervention program for children with developmental needs. The Kids First staff includes a developmental pediatric physician, a social worker, a registered nurse, developmental specialists and developmental aides. Working together with parents, the staff develops an educational and treatment plan to address the needs of each child enrolled in the program.

Partners for Inclusive Communities

• Partners for Inclusive Communities, according to the UAMS website, is designed to be a collaborative partnership with providers in the community. Partners has numerous programs that are designed to provide community-based training and technical assistance to community programs and providers of care for special needs children. Among the program topics, the following are addressed: stress and memory, improving communication between parents and health care providers, domestic violence and child abuse prevention, and age-related disabilities.

Safety and Sexual Violence Prevention Project

• According to the UAMS website, the Safety and Sexual Violence Prevention Project is one of those programs that is provided through the Partners for Inclusive Communities. This project is specifically directed at the serious problem of sexual violence against individuals with developmental and other disabilities. This program was recently expanded to include younger children from a previous project, Prevention of Sexual Assault of Individuals with Disabilities Project. It is hoped that through the educational programs provided, domestic violence and child abuse against children with special needs will decrease.

Sickle Cell Project

• The Sickle Cell Project is a program that is devoted to helping families with a young child affected by Sickle Cell, according to the UAMS website. Families enrolled in the program are connected with community-based organizations that provide support to families in the Arkansas Delta region.

Welcome the Children

• Welcome the Children is a program that is directed at providing assistance to early child care providers and educators who work with children whose primary language is Spanish, according to the UAMS website. The program provides two training modules focused on cultural issues in the Latino community and Spanish-language services. In addition, Welcome the Children offers an annual conference that is focused on Spanish community and cultural issues.