Early Childhood Intervention Program - FrontiZO
SOCIETY
CIVIL SOCIETY: 301 PRACTICES
TOPIC:
Initiative
SUBMITTED FROM:
Objective Action
The aim of the initiative is to develop a sustainable and replicable model of cooperation for early detection and provision of early intervention within the natural environment of children. Through the cooperation of the Local Government, the scientific community and Civil Society, the aim is to integrate early support into the daily operation of municipal preschool education structures. At the same time, the initiative aims to empower educators through training and continuous support, to actively involve parents and to create an effective model of early identification, referral and intervention. The collaboration with the University of Patras ensures the scientific documentation of the process, while the collaboration with the Municipality of Paleo Faliro creates the conditions for the model to be adapted to the structures of the local community. An important challenge is to support children without isolating them from their peers and at the same time include the family in the community circle.
Target Audience
The program is aimed at preschool children through the information, education and support of the adults (caregivers) who surround them, namely their parents and educators, whose roles are complementary. The combination of empowering parents and educators and strengthening cooperation between them is of major importance, given that it has been proven that prevention programs that operate in combination achieve greater effectiveness.
Duration
The duration of the program lasts from 6-9 months.
Description
The "FrontiZO" program, launched in the 2024-2025 school year, is aimed at preschool children, with the aim of providing holistic support to both the child and their family. Through information, education and support from the important adults around them, their parents and educators, inclusion is strengthened, holistic development is promoted and a supportive environment is created that meets the needs of the child and his or her family. The program is implemented in the child's natural environment, such as the nursery, with the active participation of the family in shaping the goals so that they are supported in their daily routines. The initiative has substantially contributed to strengthening the early recognition of developmental difficulties within municipal nursery schools, creating a culture of prevention and early intervention, without removing the child from their natural environment and their peers. Parents actively participated by completing the early detection tool, systematically collaborating with the team and were supported through parent counseling. At the same time, educators acquired knowledge and practical skills that strengthened their ability to identify developmental needs in a timely manner and adapt their educational practice. The most important impact of the initiative is that it highlighted how substantial cooperation between the Local Government, scientific bodies and the community can create a comprehensive system of support for the child and his family.
- Educational programs for educators with simultaneous investigation of the specific needs of educators in the local community.
- Pilot intervention within daycare centers
- Information meetings for parents.
- Awareness and information forms.
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Impact on Society
- Educational programs for educators with simultaneous investigation of the specific needs of educators in the local community (35 educators/year).
- Pilot intervention within caregivers (15 toddlers/year)
- Information meetings for parents (300 families/year).
- Awareness and information forms (500/year).
- Early identification of developmental difficulties, learning or behavioral issues (20/year).
- Intervention within the familiar environment of the toddler.
- Empowerment and education of the environment (parents, caregivers, educators) and creation of a "common language" of intervention through joint observation and collaboration.
- Reduction of anxiety and management of family stress.
- Better school readiness.
- Strengthening social integration and inclusion.
Initiative Location
The "FrontiZO" program takes place in the Municipality of Paleo Faliro with the collaboration of the Municipality and its municipal Kindergartens and Nurseries.
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Working with Organization
Collaboration with the Municipality of Palaio Faliro and the Municipal Nurseries and Childcare Centers of Palaio Faliro.
Collaboration with the University of Patras.
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Workers Participation
The implementation of the initiative was based on the close cooperation of ALMA employees with the Local Government, the Directorate of Nursery Schools, the principals and the educators of the 4 municipal schools of the Municipality of Palaio Faliro. ALMA designed and implemented the training of the educators, provided continuous counseling and support within the classrooms, coordinated the process of providing the early detection tool to the parents and collaborated with the University of Patras to evaluate the results. In addition, it supported children and their families with personalized intervention programs, with continuous cooperation and counseling support. The educators actively participated in all stages of the implementation, starting from their voluntary presence in education, applying in their daily practice the knowledge and skills they acquired through it. The continuous cooperation between all those involved and the support of the Local Government were a key factor for the sustainability of the initiative.
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Benefits for Οrganization
The initiative highlighted an innovative model of cooperation between ALMA, the Local Government, the Directorate of Nursery Schools of the Municipality of Faliro and the University of Patras for early detection and intervention in preschool age. This cooperation allowed the implementation of the program in 4 municipal nursery schools for two consecutive school years (2024–2026), creating a stable framework for prevention and support within the children's natural environment. During the program, a total of 645 children were observed within the school classrooms and 37 children were referred for further developmental assessment. A total of 14 children received personalized intervention from the ALMA interdisciplinary team within the nursery schools, enhancing the effectiveness of support in their natural environment. In addition, 70 educators were trained by a 10-member scientific team. The thematic modules in which they were trained were:
Autism – Characteristics & Detection
Observation – Assessment - Goal Setting
Collaboration with the Family
Intervention & Education Methods
Skills & Behavior Development
Social Awareness
Educators continue to be supported throughout the implementation of the program.
Finally, the collaboration with the University of Patras ensured the scientific validity of the process through the use of the early detection questionnaire for children aged 0–4, the results of which are utilized in the context of university research and weighing.
Connection with Global Goals
