This summer, leaders from Literacy in Community’s (LINC) Upper Manhattan Early Childhood Connect (UMECC) joined United for Brownsville, Citizens’ Committee for Children of New York, the Staten Island Alliance, and partners from across the city for a conversation about strengthening Early Intervention as a gateway to developmental, educational, and family support across the early childhood continuum.

This engaging morning of ideas, collaboration, and practical strategies was called Supported from the Start: A Citywide Forum on Early Intervention & Early Childhood Development and was held at The Legal Aid Society Training & Advocacy Center, free of charge on July 14. 

The forum spotlighted community-driven efforts already underway to advance equitable access to Early Intervention (EI) services and explore how partners across sectors can build on this work to better support children and families. 

Sessions included practical strategies for expanding equitable access to Early Intervention; ideas for better connecting healthcare, education, and family support, and featured the perspectives of families, providers, advocates, funders, and policymakers.

NYC leaders from across the sector connected with each other as they discussed what strengthening an Integrated Early Childhood System looks like, the progress that has been made, and the continued investment that is needed for it to flourish. 

Themes included helping families speak for themselves, not speaking for them, acknowledging their belief system, being culturally responsive, overcoming biases, and replacing misinformation. 

Two of Literacy in Community’s staff participated in the panels. UMECC’s Program Director and licensed pediatrician, Sejal Kothari joined Dodi Meyer, MD and Amanda Esteves, MD of NewYork-Presbyterian for a panel discussion on Community-Based Solutions in Action and highlighted the importance of meeting families where they are at and building trust before service delivery. 

Before UMECC, Sejal worked as a pediatrician with kindergarten through eighth graders at the NYC Department of Health where she saw firsthand how critical it is to reach children in the early years. Once they hit kindergarten, their problems begin to multiply.

She also emphasized how practitioners can stay informed in a realistic way, forming networks, and using the experts. 

“We are all human and we are all working on this together. What can I help you with? “

Early Intervention Ambassador Veronica Cuello shared heartwarming stories from her experience working UMECC’s call center during the panel, Families at the Center. 

“This stuff is hard, and the lack of respect parents receive from the system if they don’t speak the language is wild. Before talking to you I felt like New York owned my child and I was just holding on to him. After talking to you I now realize he is my kid and I say what goes for his education and life. I love how you push me to speak up, I love the weekly reminders, I love when you call or check in. I hate that this program is only up to 5 yrs old, should be to 10. I love having you in my village Veronica, thank you.”

It is no wonder that Veronica has been nicknamed “Call Center Auntie” by one of the families who appreciated her services.

The Early Intervention Ambassadors on this panel spoke passionately about how families are experts on their own children, and reminded us that we can all make families feel welcome, share information, and connect families to resources and support, no matter what our role. 

Upper Manhattan Early Childhood Connect (UMECC) is a collective impact initiative working in partnership with NewYork-Presbyterian / Columbia University Irving Medical Center, LINC, and local organizations, enabling community members and stakeholders to act as agents of change. 

For more information about UMECC, please visit www.umecc.org or contact Sejal Kothari at skothari@lincnyc.org.