Bladen County LICC Offers Services and Assistance
The Bladen County Local Interagency Coordinating Council (LICC) members met on May 10, 2022, to discuss how local service providers and parents may work together to provide needed early intervention services.
Ruth Huggins, chair of the council, started the meeting with a show and told about different sensory toys and books the LICC has offered families during the COVID-19 Pandemic. To combat the infant mortality rate, Huggins also shared the LICC has been working with local agencies to distribute Smitten Sleep Systems. The corrugate-made bed was on display, showing how portable and safe it could be for a sleeping infant.
During the round-robin, Holly Niebauer, MA with Trillium Health Resources, explained that Bladen County realigned with Trillium Health Resources as the new Local Management Entity in February. Trillium Health Resources offers local residents services for Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities, Serious Mental Health and/or Substance Misuse, and Traumatic Brain Injury. Niebauer also announced there is a new Mobile Clinic in Bladen County.
Niebauer distributed brochures and cards about Trillium Health Resources. Bladen County members may call 1-877-685-2415 for assistance.
Next, Jane Houseal Johnson, MS, CCC-SLP, with Speech Solutions, Inc., distributed educational information. A “What is an SLP?” flyer was distributed, giving details about speech-language pathologists (SLP), and SLP’s focus on communication. Speech Solutions, Inc. serves public schools, preschools, Head Start, daycares, group homes, adult day programs, in-home therapy, etc. For more information about these services, call 910-991-3053 or visit www.speechsolutionsinc.
Lastly, Vickie Gillespie with Local Children’s Developmental Services Agencies (CDSAs) reminded the council members about CDSAs’ services available to help families, caregivers, and professionals serve children with special needs through their Infant-Toddler Program. “Referrals have dropped off since the Pandemic. We are taking referrals for children ages zero to three years of age.” Anyone interested in the referral process may email Gillespie at vickie.gillespie@dhhs.nc.gov.
Before the meeting adjourned, Niebauer said, “Trillium will offer Victory Junction, a camp for families, this summer. Many children do not have the chance to attend a traditional camp, and this is an alternative for them.” The family weekend at Victory Junction will be held from June 24 through June 26, 2022. Applications for the camp are on a first-come, first-serve basis, and slots are not guaranteed. For more information, complete an interest form at the website: https://bit.ly/
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