Early Intervention Services
Colorado Bluesky Early Intervention Goals
At CBE, our EI goal is to support eligible infants and toddlers and their families in the Pueblo community by providing services and supports to promote all areas of childhood development. We provide services to help address various areas of concern such as adaptive skills, communication, cognition, physical development (including hearing and vision), social and emotional development, assistive technology, and nutrition. The objective of EI is not only to assist the child in making developmental progress, but also to guide, coach, and provide strategies to the family in facilitating the child’s access to opportunities for developmental growth within their natural environment and preferred activities. This approach optimizes the chance for the child to avail themselves of developmental opportunities and ensures continuous learning throughout their life, as the family is equipped with the necessary resources to support their child’s developmental growth.
What Is Early Intervention?
Additional Information
Our children are our most valuable and precious gifts. Ensuring that all children have the opportunities to reach their highest potential is our goal for every child. Early Intervention may be the greatest opportunity a child can receive to help reach his or her full potential. So many studies have proven that the rapid brain development that occurs during the ages of birth to 3 will never be duplicated at any other time in a child’s life. This is why working with children and families during this crucial time of life is so important to Early Intervention.
The same Early Intervention services that help children to reach developmental success also help parents and care providers to be successful. The education and support families receive through Early Intervention is the first step in becoming the strongest advocate in their child’s life. This strength and knowledge will continue to serve families as their children continue to grow.
Every child who is found eligible for Early Intervention is assigned a service coordinator who will help guide the family through their own individual family service plan. All services are provided in a natural environment and are designed to follow the daily routines of the child. This individualized approach helps families to learn techniques for caring for their child without changing the unique qualities of the family while encouraging all children to develop a happy childhood with friends and family.
Colorado’s Infant and Toddler program is the Part C Initiative under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Early Intervention Colorado is the state’s lead agency for implementation through the Colorado Department of Human Services.
Getting Started
Early Intervention (EI) Colorado supports families of children from birth to their third birthday who have developmental delays or disabilities.
Get started by filling out the referral form for Colorado Early Intervention.
Pueblo Interagency Coordinating Council (PICC)
PICC
This group convenes on a quarterly basis and is organized by CBE’s EI Program and the Pueblo Health Department of Public Health and Environment. The purpose of the Pueblo Interagency Coordinating Council (PICC) is to create a platform for agencies to exchange information about the services and resources they offer, provide necessary updates, establish a functional network of support and resources for families in Pueblo, and enhance our system through feedback and collaboration. PICC ensures that federal, state, local, and private resources are effectively coordinated within local communities to assist families in meeting the needs of their infants or toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities.
The membership of the Local Interagency Coordinating Council includes, as a minimum:
a. At least one (1) parent or guardian with a child twelve (12) years of age or younger, and at least one (1) parent or guardian with a child six (6) years of age or younger, both of whom possess knowledge or experience with early intervention services.
b. A representative from an administrative unit.
c. A representative from a county department of public health.
d. A representative from a county department of social/human services.
e. Members who are public or private providers of early intervention services.
f. Other community members who have an interest in early intervention services or are involved in the provision or payment for early intervention services.
For obtaining additional information, including the hyperlink to the virtual meeting, kindly reach out to Katrina Appel, the EI Director:
Email: kappel@coloradoblueskyenterprises.org
Office: (719) 562-2561
EI Events
Quarterly PICC Meeting
These meeting are held every second Monday of the quarter at noon. You can join the meeting via Zoom.
Resource Sharing Day
An event that is hosted by Children’s First and gives professionals an opportunity to learn about new Childhood Development resources and connects community members.
Cherish the Child
Is a Celebration in April for National Child Abuse and Awareness. It is hosted by CASA, PCHC, Catholic Charities, Pueblo County, & Pueblo Mall.
Community Baby Shower
A celebration from pregnancy through age five. This event is hosted by CSU Pueblo and it supports pregnant women and young children for basic needs.
Pumpkin Patch
All EI Kids & Families are invited to a local farm to pick pumpkins. This event is sponsored by myPCnerds & DiTomaso Farms.
Healthy Halloween
Colorado Bluesky started Healthy Halloween in 2013. This integrated event is held annually and provides a place for all Pueblo children to participate in healthy snacks and activities to celebrate Halloween.
Thanksgiving Meal Basket Giveaway
Colorado Bluesky gives away full Thanksgiving meal baskets to families in Early Intervention services. In 2023, we were able to giveaway 11 meal baskets.
Christmas Gift Giveaway
Colorado Bluesky gives away Christmas gifts to families in Early Intervention Services. This is Co-Sponsored by Pueblo Bikers United, Inc.
Photo Gallery
Colorado Bluesky Early Intervention Family Photo Gallery
You Can Make a Difference!
Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals and improve conditions. Your generous donation will fund our mission, change lives and will make so much possible – technology to increase self-reliance, employment search and support, community-based learning, residential services and vital therapies - for people with intellectual disabilities in our community.