Jefferson Center for Mental Health -

Early Intervention Services

EIS The early years of a child’s life are very important. What a child experiences and learns during this time is critical to begin the development of their emotional, behavioral and mental wellbeing. Raising a child to grow up healthy and safe can be especially challenging when mental health issues are present in the family. Jefferson Center’s Early Intervention (EI) Services are provided to parents with mental health challenges who have young children to ensure the health and safety of their children (infants and Pre-school children up to 5 years). The program is also appropriate for other caregivers (e.g. foster parents, daycare centers, Pre-schools). Services which promote resiliency and are parent-centered and strength-based, include: assessment, treatment, consultation, parenting skills training, education, and support.

The Early Intervention Services Team are experienced clinical staff and parent educators who help parents provide a safe and nurturing family environment. Services are designed to expand effective parenting skills and knowledge of appropriate child development through education and support; teach coping skills and how to deal with behavioral problems in a positive manner; help parents to better understand their own physical and emotional health and the importance of family relationships

Jefferson Center is committed to working therapeutically to meet the comprehensive needs of at risk families with children. Therapists provide a wide range of services focused on young children including:

Prevention Services

Community Education & Outreach
Consultation for Families & Caregivers
Parenting Education & Instruction
Risk Assessment

Community Services

Advocacy Services
Interagency and family staffing
Wrap-Around Services

Clinical Services

Assessment & Evaluation
Behavior Management
Home Visitation
Home-Based Intensive Family Therapy
Medication Management
Mental Health Diagnosis
Case Management
Crisis Intervention
Outpatient Services

Home Based Treatment

Mental health services are provided by Master’s level clinicians with expertise in working with families with young children. Intensive mental health counseling/therapy and education about early brain development is provided for families in the home setting. Services are designed to help to resolve issues in a parent’s life that are conflicting with their ability to provide appropriate care for the child, and which might be contributing to situations of abuse or neglect.

Parent Educators

The Parent Educators have Bachelor degrees in an early childhood specialty area and work closely with the home based mental health clinicians. The Parent Educator goes into the home and provides parents or caregivers help with parenting skills, developmental milestones, appropriate discipline, the importance of early brain development, school readiness, and accessing community resources

Nurturing Parenting Program

The Nurturing Parenting Program is a family-centered parenting program with a proven record of preventing & treating child abuse & neglect. The Program is an evidence-based 16-week course designed to build parenting skills as alternatives to abusive parenting and child rearing attitudes and practices. The program's framework includes four pillars of learning - appropriate expectations, empathy, non-violent behavioral management and appropriate familial roles. Learn more about Nuturing Parenting Program