Community Programs

Child and Family Support Center (CFSC)

The Child and Family Support Center (CFSC) is an early intervention program that offers services to children (birth to entering kindergarten) in their homes, in community settings and in the clinic. Most of the patients are 3 years-old and younger and live in Baltimore City and Baltimore County.  SLPs in this program often provide treatment to toddlers identified and referred through the Infants and Toddlers Programs. Children in this program have a variety of diagnoses including speech and language disorders, feeding disorders, literacy challenges, developmental delays and autism.

SLPs work closely with caregivers, occupational therapists, physical therapists, service coordinators and social workers within CFSC to meet children’s and families’ needs. Parent and caregiver coaching and training is a consistent focus of treatment. 

CFSC also serves families in some targeted underserved communities. Bilingual therapists work in conjunction with Primeros Pasos, an outreach program to the Hispanic community in Baltimore City. SLPs also work in conjunction with Kodem Kol, an outreach program to families in the Orthodox Jewish community in Baltimore City.

Through a grant, CFSC SLP services are also available to Southeast Early Head start, a Kennedy Krieger program. Speech/language screenings, demos for improving communication skills, and staff trainings are provided there.

Early Childhood Development and Education Center 

The Center is primarily located at the Tudsbury Road location of Kennedy Krieger Institute. It is comprised of three programs for early childhood education.

• World of Care (WOC): The World of Care is an accredited medical day care program serving children 6 weeks to 5 years old. Services are offered to children with and without medical conditions. The interdisciplinary team includes nursing staff to meet the needs of each child. The Early Starts program is located within the World of Care. Early Starts is an intensive morning program for children ages 18 – 36 months with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder or children who are at high risk for this disorder. It is in partnership with the Baltimore Infants and Toddlers Program and CASSI. The children have an opportunity to attend the day care program in the afternoon to increase interaction and socialization skills.
• Southeast Early Head Start (SEEHS): The Southeast Early Head Start is a specialized attachment-based, trauma-informed childcare program for children birth to 3 years of age whose families are experiencing a variety of high-risk factors. This program offers an inclusive environment where typical and neurodivergent children can learn together. Screening and consultative therapy services are offered. In addition, this is an eligibility evaluation site for the Baltimore City Infants and Toddlers Program.
• Integrated Early Learning Classrooms (IELC): The Early Childhood Development and Education Center Pre-K program offers an accredited program for preschool children 3 and 4 years old. The center provides an inclusive environment in which typically developing children and children who are neurodivergent learn together. Therapy services are offered using a child and family centered approach.

Fairmount Rehabilitation Programs

The Fairmount Rehabilitation Programs are comprised of the following three programs:

• Specialized Transition Program (STP): STP, one of the Fairmount Rehabilitation Programs, is a comprehensive rehabilitation day hospital. The program treats patients 1-21 years of age who have intensive therapeutic needs. Children and adolescents receive a full range of physical and cognitive rehabilitation services for their neurological and orthopedic conditions in a school-like environment—a functional and natural setting for them. 

  This interdisciplinary team includes professionals in pediatric physiatry, nursing, physical and occupational therapies, speech-language pathology, neuropsychology, and special education. Consultative services from other disciplines, such as Assistive Technology, are readily available. 

  Like other programs at the Institute, dynamic teamwork is a crucial part of STP’s success. Length of stay in this program is dependent on patient protocol and needs with a minimum of 20 days.  All efforts are aimed toward helping patients transition successfully back into their school system, home, and community lives. 

• Focused Interdisciplinary Therapy (FIT) Program: This Fairmount Interdisciplinary Rehabilitation (FIT) program provides intensive treatment focused on functional skills to children and adolescents who have persistent, disabling conditions. Three-quarters of the patients served in the FIT program have cerebral palsy, and the remainder are those with brain injuries, spina bifida and spinal cord injuries. 

  Before joining this interdisciplinary program, participants complete the initial rehabilitation required after surgery or an injury. Goals targeted in FIT have a strong functional basis, and staff use a variety of treatment techniques, including adapted video games.

  Improvements in communicative abilities may come from use of an augmentative communication system, or training on breath support and production of speech. Memory and organizational skills help individuals meet cognitive demands. Treatment on activities of daily living and improved physical skills also support improved function. Mastery of skills and generalization occurs during the dense practice in this program (e.g., 3-6 hours a day, 5 days a week, 4-6 week stay).

• Community Rehabilitation Program: This program, also part of the Fairmount continuum of rehabilitation services, provides a spectrum of treatment services in patients’ homes or their community settings. Patient diagnoses are similar to those in other Fairmount rehabilitation programs and the age span here is even wider, from 3 months to 61 years of age. 

  The program involves an interdisciplinary team of speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, social work, and consultation by neuropsychology. Family and caregiver training is an important aspect of this program.

  Treatment intensity varies according to goals of the service and the patients’ needs. Intensive treatment across disciplines might occur weekly or several times a week.  During a transitional period, patients who can work independently on treatment goals, but need monitoring, may be seen every other week. Just prior to discharge, staff may see patients on a monthly or quarterly basis and then continue to consult with them, as needed. Telehealth is provided as needed, especially for carryover purposes. 

  Patients have accessed services in this program at many different points along their recovery, sometimes reducing the length of their inpatient stay and the costs of care.