Hand-in-Hand

Early Intervention and Early Childhood Education

Bost Inc., under the name Hand-in-Hand, operates five integrated preschool and developmental programs for ages six weeks to five years of age. Programs include developmental day treatment, transportation, nutrition, and service coordination. Speech, Occupational, and Physical Therapy are also available upon referral.

Bost's Hand-in-Hand Child Development Center was created with the philosophy that the best way for children to learn is together-whether a child's needs are typical or exceptional.

This comprehensive program provides integrated activities that allow children, with and without developmental delay, to learn and play side by side in a structured learning environment.

Hand-in-Hand is a preschool center for children from six weeks to five years of age.

The program is unique because it serves children who are typically developing as well as those who have developmental delays that require short- or long-term intervention. Conditions that may place a child "at risk' include:

• A low birth weight or premature birth

• An illness beginning at or shortly after birth

• The presence of a chronic illness which interferes with normal stage of development

• A medical diagnosis such as: Mental Retardation, Epilepsy, Cerebral Palsy, Autism, and Developmental Delays

• Failure to thrive

Locations

At all Bost Hand-in-Hand locations certified teachers and Child Development Associates and Aides (CDAs) are on hand to provide special instruction through daily skill sessions and individualize learning in an integrated setting.

• 1801 South 74th Street, Fort Smith, AR

Bost began providing services at the 1801 S 74th Street location in 1967 and expanded those services to include the Arkansas Better Chance for School Success, (ABC) program in 2007.

• 4401 Yorkshire Drive, Fort Smith, AR

Bost, Inc. began providing services in the north side of Fort Smith in 1997 when a need for services became clear.

• 7701 South Zero Street

Construction of this location was completed in 1995 and the site was expanded in 2008 to be able to serve even more children.

• 5620 Meadowview Road, Witcherville, AR

Bost expanded services into South Sebastian county through the Witcherville location in 2004.

• 501 Green Street, Dardanelle, AR

The Dardanelle location is the newest Bost location to offer services to children, with a opening date in June 2009.

Program Services

Hand-in-Hand is certified as a Developmental Day Treatment Center (DDTCS) by the State of Arkansas. Low staff to student ratios make it possible for Certified Teachers and Child Development Associates/Aides (CDAs) to provide special instruction through daily skill sessions and specialized services. Hand-in-Hand program services include:

• Developmental Day Treatment Services

• Early Intervention / Early Childhood Educational Services

• Speech, Occupational, and Physical therapy by licensed therapist

• Van Transportation to and from the preschool

• Service Coordinator services

• Standardized Testing/Evaluation Services

• Nutritiously Balanced Meals

Hours of Operation

Hand-in-Hand operates daily Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with hours varying from site to site.

Enrollment

Children who have a valid Arkansas Medicaid card may be referred to the Preschool program by anyone who believes a child ages 6 weeks to 5 years may have a developmental delay.  The family will then be advised to contact their pediatrician, who will write a prescription for the services he/she believes the child may need.

Once the prescription has been obtained and it is determined that the child meets admission eligibility criteria, the child will begin recieving services.  This will include developmental services and may also include speech, occupational, and/or physical therapies.

For more information about the Hand-in-Hand Program contact:

Roy Thompson
Children's Services Director
Phone: 479.478.5559
Fax: 479.478.5560
rthompson@bost.org