By Jen Jones

Heather Hosfelt – Grogro has been working with the Coshocton County Board of DD as an early intervention service coordinator for almost 12 years and loves her job .

“ Initially , I went to college for psychology and worked a few years at Job and Family Services , but I wanted to work in a different capacity . I really enjoyed working with families and this is a very positive , helping role with families ,” said Hosfelt-Grogro .

The service coordinator is the first person families who contact early intervention meet . Early intervention provides services to children from birth to age 3 that may have medical needs or who may not be reaching milestones as they should . Parents can contact early intervention if they have any concerns – they do not need a doctor referral .

“ While families may see different therapist , their service coordinator is a constant . I coordinate different therapies for the families and can assist them in finding services that our county board may not be able to provide ,” said Hosfelt-Grogro . The CCBDD provides speech , occupational and physical therapies in the child ’ s home . “ I also help keep everyone on the same track , review a family ’ s plan every six months and remind everyone when the child ’ s yearly evaluation is due .” Evaluations are done every year to track the child ’ s progress .

“ When the child turns 3 , if the family is interested , I help connect the public school and the family . And there is always paperwork to do and deadlines to meet .”

Since the families see their child ’ s therapists often , they often talk to the therapist about needs

or concerns . The therapist then shares with the service coordinator so needed services can be found . “ For a lot of families , transportation can be an issue . Especially if their child must go to doctor appointments at one of the children ’ s hospitals . Even if they have a reliable vehicle , gas costs can get really expensive .”

“ Reliable day care is another concern for families . We help connect them with ideas – whether homebased or a center . Early intervention can also help get a child braces , a wheelchair or other adaptive equipment .”

Hosfelt-Grogro encourages any family who may have concerns about their child ’ s development to contact early intervention . “ A parent may see behaviors they are concerned about or the child has feeding issues . Or maybe the child isn ’ t talking as much as other children their age . Parents

are often nervous about behaviors and wonder if what they see is normal .”

“ We go to the child ’ s home or day care – a place where they are comfortable – and observe . Evaluations can have drastically different results from a doctor ’ s office and a place where the child is comfortable . Often , we go in the home and talk to the parent and just observe the child until they are used to us .” Hosfelt-Grogro also said that sometimes , these in home visits are a relief to parents .

“ They see behaviors at home , but the school or day care says the child never does it there and the parents feel like everyone thinks they are crazy . Our visits validate a parent ’ s concerns , and we can tell them whether what they are concerned with is normal or if the child needs some help .”

“ I just love this job . It ’ s the people . Not just my co-workers – we make a

great team and have been together a long time . It ’ s the families we serve in the community from all walks of life . Some families still send us pictures and

updates about their child after they have aged out of Early Intervention . It really makes a rewarding job ,” said Hosfelt-Grogro .

The annual Fresno Alumni Banquet will be held Saturday , June 12 at Ridgewood Middle School instead of at the high school . Genesis HealthCare System is building a new healthcare facility in Coshocton called the Genesis Coshocton Medical Center . Get details at www . coshoctonbeacontoday . com .

Serving will begin at 6:30 p . m ., and reservations can be made by calling Ruth Marquand at 740-623-0450 and are due by Tuesday , June 1 . The cost is $ 15 per person . The menu consists of ham loaf , cheesy potatoes , green beans , salad and dessert .

The honored classes are 1940 , 1941 , 1951 , 1960 and 1961 .