• Do you need a presenter for an early intervention or early childhood workshop or training?
• Are you looking for parents of children with special needs to share their knowledge and experiences?
• Would you like to consult with another early childhood professional through telephone or email?
• Do you need a facilitator for your next group meeting?
• Are you interested in being a resource for North Carolina?

Access Early Connections resources by calling Family Support Network of North Carolina at 800.852.0042.

What is Early Connections?

Early Connections is a referral service linking callers to resources. North Carolinians needing resources can access a database of service providers and members of families with children who have special needs who are willing to be a resource regarding topics of early intervention and early childhood. This project helps service providers and families in North Carolina work together and increase access to experts in specific content areas.

The following describes the types of resources in the database:

• Presenters will be referred to callers who are organizing a workshop or presentation in North Carolina.
• Mentors are service providers who have at least 4 years experience and are currently working with children birth to five with special needs. Mentors will be referred to service providers who are seeking 20 hours of one-on-one mentorship within a 12-month period.
• Family Resources are family members of children with special needs. Family resources who are willing to share their story will be referred to callers seeking parents of children with disabilities. Mentor Family Resources will be referred to service providers who are seeking informal discussion/observation to learn about early intervention services from the family perspective for up to 5 hours. Mentor Family Resources are reimbursed for their time through the NC Early Intervention Mentor Program.
• Consultants/Panelists will be referred to callers seeking a person who can provide expertise, who would like to network with parents or professionals with expertise on a particular topic, or who are organizing committees for local, regional, or state projects.

Screening of the resources referred and negotiation of payment for services are the responsibility of the caller requesting services.

Early Connections Resource Application