Prevention Initiative
Beginning Together Prevention Initiative Program
The Prevention Initiative program is funded by the Illinois State Board of Education under the Early Childhood Block Grant (ECBG) and aligned with the research-based Baby TALK Family Engagement Model.
The program serves expectant parents and families with children from birth to age three who qualify for the services based on different need indicators. The program operates year-round and offers in-person and virtual visits to families twice a month on a flexible schedule (mornings and evenings from Monday to Saturday). Services are provided in English and Spanish.
Our mission is to support and empower parents by establishing a collaborative partnership with them. Working with expectant parents and families with children from birth to age three provides us the opportunity to support and monitor their children’s development and promote their parent-child relationship even before a baby is born. Our program positively impacts the child and parents' lives by providing free, high-quality services and connecting families with diverse community services and resources.
The Family Support Specialists:
-Collaborate with families to set up an individualized family goal plan
-Assess families’ needs and use a referral system to connect families with different community agencies to receive additional services and support
The Program Also Offers:
A monthly parent-child group encounter
Parent workshops
Summer family activities.
Emergency diaper bank
To participate in our program, please complete our referral form and we will contact you. For more information about the Prevention Initiative program, please contact Veronica Marquez at 847-718-7952 or veronica.marquez@d214.org.
Click below to download our flyer and trifold in English and Spanish
Beginning Together Flyer (English and Spanish)
Beginning Together Brochure (Spanish) Beginning Together Brochure (English)
Toy & Book Lending Library and Parent Resource Library
The PI program has a free toy/book lending library where the families enrolled in the program can borrow developmentally appropriate toys and books to support the child’s development and learning and promote parent-child interaction.
How It Works:
Families check our online catalog and choose the toys/books they want to borrow
Reserve your toys/books with your home visitor or use our online form. We also accept phone reservations during lending hours. Please call 847-718-7952 or 847-718-7729 on Mondays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Families arrange the drop-offs/returns with their home visitors or call us during lending hours.
Our parent resource library provides different parenting resources, handouts, books, and DVDs with information and strategies to understand the child’s development and support developmental parenting skills.
FREE Community Developmental Screenings
For children ages one month to three years old who reside within the boundaries of District 214. Developmental screenings can take place in the family’s home or at our center.
Screenings include these areas of development:
* Communication * Problem solving
*Fine & Gross Motor Skills *Social and Emotional skills
Benefits of Developmental Screenings:
Help parents/caregivers to learn more about how their child develops
Celebrate your child’s milestones
Provide parenting information and resources to support child’s development and learning
Increase early detection of possible developmental delays
Parents/caregivers will receive a full report with the screening results, resources and guidance to support their child’s development, and referrals to the appropriate agencies if necessary.
Click below to schedule a free developmental screening. For more information please contact Veronica Marquez at 847-718-7952 or veronica.marquez@d214.org.
To donate diapers, books, or childproofing items, please call 847-718-7952
Scan with your phone to go to form.
