P.R.I.M.E. and P.R.I.M.E./Care were the first programs in Southern Illinois designed to assist families to understand the stress they are experiencing at the birth or diagnosis of their infant/toddler with special needs.
PRIME and PRIME/Care has four main goals it hopes families will learn to find and use resources to:
1. Understand the effect the special needs or high-risk infant/toddler has on the individual and the family;
2. Develop positive family interaction within the marriage, parent(s), sibling(s), and extended family;
3. Build support within the family;
4. Obtain support in the community
These four goals are achieved through:
Parent to Parent
By attending the P.R.I.M.E./Care Inclusive Play Center parents are given the opportunity to talk to other parents and share their concerns, share ideas that have worked for them and their child, and participate in fun family activities. Parent’s have the opportunity to be matched up with another parent who may have similar problems and concerns. And P.R.I.M.E. and P.R.I.M.E./Care will link parents to other people and professionals for information, training/education. For information on the PRIME/Care Play Center and parent to parent support contact: us at (618) 234-6876
Materials and Equipment Loan Program
Families of children birth to three who receive services through the PRIME/Care Inclusive Play Center or the PRIME Home-Based Program, are eligible to use our equipment, materials, and lending library. In most instances, the therapist who are working with you through our two programs will recommend particular equipment or materials for you to use with your child. This gives you, the family, the opportunity to try particular materials and equipment with your child and see your child’s response before you make the decision to purchase items.
The Play Center and Home-Based Program have a small library of videos and books available to lend out. If you are interested in particular videos and/or literature please ask the therapist in the Play Center or the P.R.I.M.E. therapist who comes to your home if you have something in mind. Or you can call at the office (618) 234-6876 and someone will speak with you.