501-526-8770
www.arpediatrics.org/kidsfirst
Mission Statement: KIDS FIRST is a pediatric day health care program operated by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences’ Department of Pediatrics. KIDS FIRST is a comprehensive, early intervention program for infants and young children who are at risk for developmental delays due to medical concerns.
Overview: UAMS operates 11 KIDS FIRST sites around Arkansas, providing diagnostic and treatment services. KIDS FIRST specialized speech, occupational and physical therapeutic services emphasize the development of basic skills, and support each child’s ability to interact with family, friends and community. Early and regular assessments identify the needs and strengths of each child. Home programs are frequently developed to allow families to reinforce therapeutic goals when their child is away from the KIDS FIRST clinic.
Services Include:
- Interdisciplinary Evaluations – KIDS FIRST nurses evaluate each child for learning and behavior issues across all educational disciplines, and then recommend an individualized therapy plan to help improve the functional level of each child.
- Early Intervention – Early intervention services at KIDS FIRST are provided in a center-based setting with an individualized focus. Every child receives a developmental evaluation that includes input from parents to highlight the child’s strengths and needs. These evaluations lead to development of each child’s treatment plan. The treatment plan is developed by a team of parents and professionals with a family-centered approach.
- Nutrition Services – The American Dietetic Association’s recommended nutrition care process protocol including a nutrition diagnosis is included in all nutrition intervention plans.
- Following Baby Back Home – Home visitors provide teaching, support, and case management services for families of high-risk infants following their discharge from NICU. The home visitors work closely with other service providers, such as home health or therapy services, to promote the very best start for the new baby and family.
- Medical & Nursing Services – These clinical coordinators communicate the child’s health progress to everyone involved with the child’s health – the KIDS FIRST medical director, the child’s primary care physician, subspecialists such as neurology or orthopedics, or other KIDS FIRST team members such as LPNs and nursing assistants, therapists and nutritionists.
- Speech, Occupational & Physical Therapy – Specialized therapeutic services emphasize the development of basic skills, and support each child’s ability to interact with family, friends and community.
- Specialized Interventions – As part of a child’s treatment team, social workers meet with parents at the point of entry, aid with their child’s transition into the program and provide continued support and advocacy throughout the child’s tenure in the program.
In addition to these services, the KIDS FIRST program helps coordinate specialized services from other agencies. This integrated approach helps your child receive the best care to ensure that he/she can succeed.
Age Groups Served: 6 weeks – 5 years
Diagnoses Served: Special Health Care Needs and Developmental Delays
Geographic Areas Served: Lowell, Fort Smith, Mountain View, Morrilton, Pocahontas, Newport, Searcy, Little Rock, Pine Bluff, Warren, Magnolia