Resources & Links:
General
Some essential resources, from support groups to informational websites to books.
Connecticut Birth to Three
www.birth23.org
phone: 1-800-505-7000
The mission of the Birth to Three System is to strengthen the capacity of families to meet the developmental and health-related needs of their infants and toddlers who have delays or disabilities. They assess your child and then work out an IFSP (an Individualized Family Service Plan) to provide whatever services your child needs: physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, et cetera.
Due to state budget cuts in 2003, Birth To Three services in Connecticut are now only free for some low-income families; monthly services are now billed on a sliding scale based on adjusted gross income.
HealthyChildren.org by the American Academy of Pediatrics
Backed by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), HealthyChildren.org has general information about child health and parenting issues, as well as information about the AAP's programs, activities, guidelines, resources, and more. Here are some articles that will be of special interest to parents of premature babies:
KidsHealth.com: A Primer on Preemies
kidshealth.org/parent/growth/growing/preemies.html
KidsHealth offers a "primer on preemies," including what to expect in the NICU and common complications of prematurity.
March of Dimes® Prematurity
www.marchofdimes.com/baby/inthenicu.html
The March of Dimes® is leading the campaign to reduce premature birth by supporting research and by educating the public and health care providers.
Their biggest fundraiser is WalkAmerica, which supports lifesaving research and innovative programs that save babies from prematurity. WalkAmerica is in the spring; usually in Westport (Sherwood Island State Park) and Danbury; for more information, visit WalkAmerica.
Mothers of Multiples of Lower Fairfield County
Since many premature babies are multiples, a local twins/triplets club can offer specialized support for families with more than one baby. Founded in 1958, MOMs of Lower Fairfield County is one of the largest multiples clubs in the country, offering a wide range of programs for moms from pregnancy through the school years.
U.S. Government: Social Security
In some cases children born prematurely can receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. This booklet discusses the Social Security and SSI benefits a child with a disability might be eligible for and explains how they evaluate disability claims for children.
phone (203) 202-9714