Education Coordination Services for Children with Visual Impairments
The Education Services program by DBVI offers support to children with visual impairments, striving to assist over 2,312 youth aged 0-22, with 339 of them between birth and 5 years old. Education Coordinators conduct assessments like Functional Vision and Learning Media Assessments to enhance children's development. They collaborate with Early Intervention providers and offer resources to families and caregivers. These services aim to improve sensory stimulation, motor skills, cognitive development, and communication in children with visual impairments.
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Caren Phipps, Caren Phipps, Director of Services for Children and Youth Tracy DeLuca, Education Coordinator Director of Services for Children and Youth Tracy DeLuca, Education Coordinator
The Education Services program through DBVI provides services to over 2,312 children birth to 22 who are blind, vision impaired or deaf-blind. Of this number, DBVI provides services to 339 children birth through 5. These services assist the children to participate and progress in developmental, educational, and recreational activities DBVI has Education Coordinators who cover each of the 6 regional offices: Fairfax (Lisa Auwarter), Staunton (Lisa Auwarter), Richmond (Tracy DeLuca), Norfolk (Denise Walker), Roanoke (Jill Tomlinson), and Bristol (Richard Whitey Fanis)
Education Coordinators assess the level of visual functioning in infants and children by: Completing Functional Vision Assessments This assessment can be done in the home or other environments and it provides information that can be used by the family in working with the infant/child at home and in planning for services, to include collaborating with Early Intervention providers
It is an assessment of how a child uses the vision he or she has in everyday situations Looks at near, intermediate, distance, and peripheral vision Informal and Formal testing Abilities and conditions change Best practice is to repeat the assessment periodically
Education Coordinators also assess the level of visual functioning in infants and children by: Completing Learning Media Assessments to help identify and understand how the child will learn most efficiently Providing information for programing which enhances sensory stimulation, concept development, gross/fine motor development, self-help skills, cognitive development, and adaptive communication skills Facilitating the provision of alternative format books and materials to infants and children
Collaborate with Infant and Toddler Connection of Virginia Early Intervention Coordinating Councils Provide information and resources to parents, guardians, care providers and early intervention staff of infants and toddlers who have visual impairments
Initiate the Educ. Services intake process, determine eligibility, and maintain required documentation Function as a resource to Teachers of the Visually Impaired (TVI s) for children in school Attend IFSP, Eligibility, IEP, and related meetings Work proactively with local, regional, and state resources to resolve problems and remove barriers to ensure an appropriate education
Collaborate with Early Intervention Programs (0-3) to assess vision loss and recommend interventions Support developmental and educational progress Help parents/guardians access community resources and the educational system
Call the agency's toll free telephone number (1-800- 622-2155) Contact the DBVI Intake Specialists: Richmond Regional Office (804-371-3730) Roanoke Regional Office Norfolk Regional Office Fairfax Regional Office Bristol Regional Office Staunton Regional Office (540- 561-7475) (757-466-4162) (571- -386-3849) (276- 642-7300) (540-332-7729)
Caren Phipps Director of Services for Children and Youth caren.phipps@dbvi.virginia.gov Office 804-625-3972 Tracy DeLuca Education Coordinator DBVI-Richmond Regional Office tracy.deluca Office 804-371-3102 tracy.deluca@dbvi.virginia.gov @dbvi.virginia.gov
