Autism Services
In 2011, Lindsay Hilsen, BCBA, published her curriculum, A Step by Step Curriculum for Early Learners with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Sunny Days was approved to utilize, train, and develop IFSP services for children on the autism spectrum through New Jersey Early Intervention System (NJEIS), using this curriculum. Our Administrative and Clinical Education staff continually investigates resources that can assist with developing a systematic training and supervision plan for integrating the Step by Step curriculum into the fabric of Sunny Days services.
Service Coordination
Sunny Days has provided successful initial and ongoing service coordination since 2002. We pride ourselves on providing service coordination to all communities and to every income level within those communities.
Service coordination is the thread in our family-centered framework. Our goal is to help the entire family with their identified concerns and to develop plans and strategies to strengthen their competency. Sunny Days service coordinators are highly qualified personnel who fulfill roles and responsibilities in accordance with the Early Intervention Program Regulations.
Our service coordinators provide families with an overview of the early intervention system. They also explain family rights and responsibilities and address concerns, priorities, and resources. They assist families through the process of evaluation, IFSP development, implementation, review and/or amendment, due process rights, and transition to preschool special education or other appropriate services. Additionally, our service coordinators support families with priorities other than early intervention services, such as healthcare and housing needs.
Continuous History of Innovation
Sunny Days is a pioneer in using independent contractors and fee for service, and it has been instrumental in helping to formulate policy on a state level. Both of our CEOs and the program directors in all five states have helped influence the development of State Policy and Procedure by actively participating in multiple task force committees. One of our CEOs, Joyce Salzberg, is the longest-standing member of the New Jersey SICC, having served since 1998, and continues to offer insight and innovative ideas that address challenges in the NJEIS.
Our TETs have become the state’s model for evaluating children and families to determine Part C eligibility. Sunny Days has consistently demonstrated that our highly trained core teams and methodology have brought efficiency, timeliness and accountability to the evaluation and IFSP process.
Leader in Virtual Intervention
The State of New Jersey has chosen Sunny Days as the exclusive agency to pilot a virtual methodology of service delivery. This model allows us to serve a greater number of families, as it may not be necessary for practitioners to be physically present during each session. It requires that both families/caregivers and practitioners embrace coaching techniques that will allow families to implement strategies that meet the IFSP outcomes. Where appropriate, Sunny Days is firmly committed to bringing this new methodology to all early intervention families that opt to participate in this type of service provision.
Sunny Days utilizes trained and licensed practitioners in all disciplines and developmental domains, including social work, nursing, speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, special education, and behavior therapy, including services supervised by BCBAs. Our practitioners use their breadth of experience to design intervention strategies specifically tailored to each child’s IFSP and built around a family’s daily routines and activities.
