{"id":2377,"date":"2015-02-12T11:27:29","date_gmt":"2015-02-12T11:27:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/veipd.org\/earlyintervention\/?p=2377"},"modified":"2021-10-15T18:24:36","modified_gmt":"2021-10-15T18:24:36","slug":"fall-in-love-with-your-job-all-over-again","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.veipd.org\/earlyintervention\/2015\/02\/12\/fall-in-love-with-your-job-all-over-again\/","title":{"rendered":"Fall in Love with Your Job All Over Again"},"content":{"rendered":"

Valentine\u2019s Day is right around the corner. So how does that pertain to your job as an early interventionist?\"Baby<\/p>\n

The life of an early interventionist is packed with conducting assessments and developing IFSPs, managing lots of paperwork, and traveling here and yon all over the countryside for visits with children and families. PHEW! It makes me tired thinking about it!<\/p>\n

In all this busyness how often do you step back and consider the importance of your job? Do you really think about the impact that you have on a daily basis in the lives of children and families?<\/p>\n

A Foundation that Lasts a Lifetime<\/h2>\n

Frequently early intervention providers are so focused on the day in and day out routines, just trying to keep their noses above water, that they fail to recognize what amazing services and supports they provide.\u00a0 Even more importantly, with the narrowed emphasis on those first three years of life, there is limited time to pause to consider that early intervention is building a foundation that lasts a lifetime!<\/p>\n

When I provided direct services it infrequently crossed my mind about the longterm implications of my interactions with families. Sure, I wanted to provide the best supports as possible but I was more focused on the present: the child\u2019s IFSP outcomes and progress, providing good information to help families make good decisions, etc.\u00a0 Rarely did I reflect on how my work on that Tuesday morning might impact some Tuesday morning later in life when the child was in elementary school or even in high school.<\/p>\n

Recently, however, in my current job as a professional development specialist, our team has focused on producing videos that will support early interventionists in their work. I had the opportunity to spend several wonderful days with a young man who was in the early intervention program that I served as the director many years ago. Brandon, now fourteen years old, and his family shared where their lives have taken them since they transitioned out of early intervention. Brandon\u2019s mother, Rhonda, discussed the impact of those early services that laid the framework for lifelong inclusive practices and advocacy.<\/p>\n

I am proud to say that I am an early interventionist. Even more importantly, Brandon and Rhonda reminded me that I LOVE MY JOB! Honestly, no words I write could speak the volumes that this video provides.\u00a0 I encourage you to grab a cup of coffee or a colleague and take a moment to watch. I know you will remember why you love your job.<\/p>\n

Brandon’s Story, A Mother’s Voice<\/h2>\n