Behavioral Specialists
Consultation Services

First 5 Amador offers consultation services by an experienced behavioral specialist to assist preschool and child care programs in caring for children with behavior concerns, disabilities and special needs.  A consultant is available to assist family child care providers and early education teachers with a wide range of resources and services.  The consultant offers phone and on-site assistance to programs serving children ages 0-5.

 A phone call to First 5 Amador is all that it takes to get assistance.  Here is an idea of what the consultant can do and how the process works:

1. Telephone Support

  • Lend support, listen, answer questions and problem solve
  • Help to identify “red flags”
  • Support providers in communication with the family regarding concerns and referral to consultation services and other resources
  • Assist providers and families in accessing appropriate resources

 2. Program Observations

  • On-site consultation with child care programs and staff
  • Suggestions for program modification (e.g. making space more accessible, promoting social skills and smoother transitions, behavior management techniques)
  • Educational materials (e.g. informational articles addressing specific needs of a provider, suggestions on curriculum development, lending adaptive materials)
  • Training and guidance for staff to help meet the needs of children with specific behavioral, developmental, or physical issues

 3. Child Specific Observations

  • Assistance in making referrals to specialized services for children
  • Review existing adaptive equipment (physical, fine motor, gross motor)
  • Provide information about special education and working with the school system
  • Identify long-term resources to assist inclusion efforts (e.g. connecting child with Family Resource Network, Valley Mountain Regional Center, Special Education)

If you would like more information on to access these services,
please call Cheri at First 5 Amador at (209) 257-1092.

These services are provided in part by funding through the
Amador County Mental Health Services Act.