Developmental Educational Assistance Program

D.E.A.P.

Family Education & Support

Family Education and Support (FES) is a home-based program that provides help to eligible families in meeting their child's developmental goals.

Who is Eligible?

DEAP's Family Education and Support Program provides services to families who have children with developmental concerns ages birth through 21 years.  Children who are developmentally delayed or at risk because of prematurity, chronic medical problems, behavior problems, lack of development, or other concerns may be served up to their sixth birthday.  Children can be served up to their 22nd birthday if they have a developmental disability.  Children are selected for this program based on priority of need after being placed on a waiting list.  Families with a child age 3 or older are encouraged to seek services from their local school district, if they are eligible.

How to make referral or access services?

Anyone can make a referral to FES services with parent/guardian approval.  DEAP provides services in the following counties: Carter, Custer, Dawson, Fallon, Garfield, Powder River, Prairie, Rosebud, Treasure and Wibaux. The contact individual for Family Education and Support services at DEAP is:

Sandy Peaslee                                                                             speaslee@deapmt.org

2200 Box Elder

Miles City, MT  59301

234-6034 or 1-800-224-6034

What services are provided?

A family support specialist meets with families in their homes to address their concerns about their child.  He or she cooperates with families and other team members in developing an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) which outlines how the child's needs will be addressed.  Families choose which services they need and how they would like to meet their needs.

There are three main areas of Family Education and Support:

1. Child Education - Family members receive information and assistance in teaching their child new skills or behaviors.  These skill areas include:

   • Physical: muscle coordination, performance and movement

   • Self-help: eating, dressing, toileting, and other self-care skills

   • Social/Emotional: how child responds to others and expresses his thoughts to others

   • Communication: how a child understands others and expresses his thoughts to others

   • Cognitive: child's ability to think or reason

   • Behavior management: changing behaviors which prevent the child from learning or being accepted by others

2. Family Education - Family members learn new ways to teach their child, add to their own knowledge, or get services and supports for their family.

3. Resource and Support Coordination - DEAP staff assist the family in arranging necessary services such as respite, childcare, school services, medical services, or any other service identified as a need.

Connecting with individuals, families and communities.

 Adult Supported Living Services    Child Care Resource & Referral    Community Supports

Evaluation & Diagnosis Services    Family Education & Support    IDEA Infant & Toddler

In-Home Program    Lifespan Respite

PASARR    WIC