When Nora Ford was born at 30 weeks, her parents, Noelle and Blake, knew that she was getting care and support in the NICU.

But when she finally was able to come home — after 101 days in the hospital — they wanted to make sure that she didn’t fall behind in her milestones.

Nationwide Children’s Hospital recommended that they reach out to Ohio Early Intervention.

“We didn’t know what to expect, but it’s been great,” Noelle said. 

Provided in Licking County by the Licking County Board of Developmental Disabilities, Early Intervention (EI)  is a statewide program that supports children, from birth to age 3, with developmental delays or disabilities. Services are provided at no cost to families in their homes, where children learn best.

Once they made a referral to EI, the Fords met with Service Coordinator Kayli McClain and shared Nora’s story. 

After she was born, Nora spent time on a ventilator, which made her mouth and airway very sensitive. She struggled to drink anything by mouth. With hopes that she would do better once she was home, her team decided to use a g-tube to make sure she got the nutrients she needed.

Their biggest goal with Early Intervention is to help Nora learn to tolerate things like spoons and cups in her mouth, to eventually learn to eat and drink, Noelle said. 

EI Speech Therapist Janelle Pickens began working with the Fords on different feeding therapies and suggested teething toys that they could use at home.

Although Nora has therapy in an office weekly, Early Intervention has been a great enhancement to those sessions, Noelle said.

“They are helping us adapt what we are doing in our home and that’s huge,” she said. “They are looking at, ‘This is what your life is like and what can we do to enhance your life and Nora’s life.’”

Since she was born premature, Nora could experience other developmental delays as she grows. Being connected to EI, they are able to access the expertise of the different LCBDD team members and be proactive about concerns. 

LCBDD Physical Therapist Brenna Sabo was able to join a visit and suggested using pool noodles to modify Nora’s high chair to give her more core support.

“It just helps to know we have people in our corner, they are looking at us as a family and not just her medical record,” Noelle said. “They know her story and her background.”

When Nora put a spoon in her mouth for the first time, the EI team members were there to celebrate.

They understand the importance of small milestones and are there to provide encouragement, Noelle said. 

“It’s nice to have people who know what you are going through and have resources,” she said.

For more information about Early Intervention in Licking County, go to https://lcountydd.org/birth-to-3/. To make an EI referral, please call 1-800-755-4769. You can also make a secure online referral at http://bit.ly/ReferToHMG.