Why choose FIPP?
At the Family, Infant and Preschool Program (FIPP), every family gets a team! We know that children learn best from the important people in their lives and during their everyday activities. That is why families are at the center of everything we do. Our team of experts in child development will work with you to make sure that your child meets the goals that are important to you and your family. We come to you because therapy doesn’t have to happen in a clinic or through recommended exercises. You can do everything your child needs to learn and develop as part of your everyday routines and FIPP will show you how.
Who is on the team?
Our team members have degrees in early childhood education, early childhood special education, nutrition, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech-language pathology.
Who do we serve?
FIPP provides direct support to children and their families in Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, and McDowell counties in western North Carolina. We serve children birth to five years of age and their families.
Is this a preschool?
No, instead, we can support your preschool-age child in their home, community, or classroom.
Who can refer?
FIPP accepts referrals directly from parents, physicians, and other community-based agencies and programs.
How do I make a referral?
You can make a referral by filling out our online referral form, or by contacting our Intake Coordinator at (828) 608-6704, or (828) 608-6700.
How do I know if my child needs to be referred?
If you have concerns about your child, FIPP can do an evaluation to help you determine if your family can benefit from our services.
Who can be referred?
Children age birth-five located in Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, and McDowell counties in North Carolina can be referred.
Will my insurance cover it?
FIPP accepts payment in the form of Medicaid and insurance. For families who do not have this, a sliding fee scale is available based on the family’s income and number of family members in the home. No child or family is refused services based on an inability to pay.
How soon can I get help?
When the referral is made, our enrollment coordinator will contact you within 48 hours to gather information about your family’s needs or concerns. Within a week of your referral, our team will work together to select the provider that best fits your family’s needs, and this person will contact you to set up the first visit.
What will services look like?
At FIPP, we always go to the places a child would normally be, whether that is a home, park, childcare, restaurant, or any other place that is important to your family. We begin by seeing how things normally look, and then we help families think of new ways to support children during daily life. Expect FIPP providers to ask questions to learn more about your child and family and to demonstrate and teach you ways to help children learn and develop. Between visits, you will always have a plan to use what you learn in your everyday life.
How should I prepare for a visit?
Think about your child’s interests, daily activities, and what helps or is challenging for your child during these routines. FIPP team members want to see what daily life is really like for your family and will support you in routines like mealtime, bath time, and other activities that are important to you.
Who should be present at a home visit?
We welcome any and all important people in your child’s life! All caregivers, siblings, pets, friends, teachers (in a classroom visit), and other important people are invited to be a part of visits. FIPP will need a legal guardian to complete paperwork for the initial enrollment visit. Children learn best when they are around the people they see every day, so please feel free to involve the whole family in home visits.
How long is a typical visit?
We don’t believe that any visit is “typical.” Instead, home visits will end when you have a plan for how you will use what you have learned in your daily routines. Most home visits average 45-60 minutes, but every family is different.
How often will home visits happen?
FIPP team members will plan visits with you to meet your specific needs, rather than set a specific schedule. We will talk about how often visits should be to help your child learn, and we can change that schedule as often as needed.
When will home visits happen?
We are committed to seeing children in everyday routines. Because of this, FIPP team members can provide visits at a variety of days and times throughout the week. We are also able to provide supports in childcare or schedule visits around your work schedule.
Can FIPP provide evaluations?
Yes! FIPP’s team of cutting-edge professionals can provide specific therapy evaluations as well as general developmental testing. FIPP’s FAST team also works with physicians to diagnose children with autism spectrum disorder.
Do you offer parenting classes?
We do something even better! FIPP provides parenting supports in a family’s natural environment that can follow Department of Social Services (DSS) case plans or support parents who simply want to learn more about how to help their children learn and develop.
Can you help me find a job/daycare/transportation, etc.?
FIPP team members are trained in resource-based practices, and can help families already enrolled in FIPP services find, access, and use community resources. We work to connect you with your community to make sure that you have a long term plan to help your child and family succeed.
What if I need special equipment for my child?
FIPP is home to the NC Assistive Technology Loan Program, which provides trials and assessment for children needing assistive technology. FIPP team members are also trained in helping families find and purchase equipment they need using insurance or other funding sources.
My doctor isn’t worried, but I feel like I need support. What do I do?
You do not need a doctor’s referral to receive FIPP services. FIPP team members can provide developmental information and support to families of children with any level of ability. With permission, we can communicate with your physician to make sure that everyone works together.
Still have questions?
If you don’t see your question listed, please submit your question via email at [email protected].