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Family Infant-Toddler Services

The KSSB Family Infant-Toddler (FIT) program, in partnership with the Kansas Early Childhood Developmental Services, offers high-quality vision services for Kansas children who are blind or visually impaired, ages birth to three, at no cost. Our collaboration allows us to provide comprehensive support and ensure that every child and their families receive the specialized care they need during these crucial early years.  

MARITES ALTUNA

Marites Altuna wearing a navy jacket with long dark hair and glasses.

TERI CHANEY

Teri Chaney smiling with short curly hair and wearing glasses.

RACHEL GHRAM

Rachel Ghram, smiling for the camera with long light brown hair and bangs and wearing glasses

DE MCDOUGALD

De McDougald smiling for the camera with long brown hair and glasses
The Family Infant-Toddler Services map shows the state of Kansas divided into seven regional sections. Each region is assigned a color. The 11 pink counties in northwest and Harvey County Kansas are served by the FIT team, 43 yellow counties in central and western Kansas are served by Melissa Schlegel, 9 purple counties in central and north central Kansas are served by Teri Chaney, 5 orange counties in south central Kansas are served by Rachel Ghram, 15 green counties in northeast Kansas are served by Heather Pedersen, 3 red counties (Johnson, Wyandotte, and Douglas) are served by Laura Wohlhuter, 19 blue counties in southeast Kansas are served by Tammy Warford, and 5 blue stared counties in eastern Kansas are served by De McDougald
About FIT

WE ARE COMMITTED to breaking down barriers and ensuring infants and toddlers who are blind or visually impaired receive the support they deserve.

WE BELIEVE every family facing blindness and visual impairment has the resources and guidance needed to thrive.

WE ARE PASSIONATE about supporting families during the critical early years of their child’s development. 

OUR TEAM of certified vision teachers and orientation and mobility specialists brings extensive experience working with children with visual impairments and is licensed to serve children from birth to age 21.

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OUR SERVICES are free to Kansas families and local infant-toddler providers (Part C).

Services We Provide

Comprehensive Support

  • Early intervention is essential for a child’s success. Our vision providers work closely with families and their local infant-toddler service providers to address developmental concerns, enhance sensory skills, and offer strategies and accommodations tailored to each child. 
  • In addition, FIT offers the following services:
    • Joint home visits as part of the collaborative teaming with the local infant-toddler service providers
    • Functional vision evaluations and other assessments 
    • Participation in IFSP and other team meetings
    • Orientation and mobility evaluations and services
    • Participate in transition meetings from infant-toddler Services to preschool programs.
    • Provide professional development training about vision-related topics.
    • Collaborate with local programs to support family engagement activities related to vision.

Strengthening Family Connections 

  • Families play a vital role in their child’s development. To assist them on this incredible journey, we provide educational resources, workshops, and support groups to equip them with the knowledge and tools necessary to nurture their child’s growth. 
  • We facilitate opportunities for families to connect and share experiences through networking events and community engagement activities. 
  • Building a solid support network can be incredibly valuable, and we strive to create a sense of community for families supported by the FIT program.
  • Who should be referred to the FIT services? Any child from birth to three years old with:
    • Confirmed vision impairment diagnosis. 
    • Family or team concerns regarding any aspect of the child’s vision.
    • A pre-existing condition that increases the likelihood of vision impairment may include but is not limited to prematurity, syndromes, a family history of visual issues, or traumatic events like oxygen deprivation, meningitis, or shaken baby syndrome.
    • Outcomes on the Kansas Vision Screening Tool suggest a referral is necessary.

    Who can make a referral to the FIT Services?

    • Local Infant-Toddlers Programs
    • Medical providers, with the family’s permission 
    • Parents ​​who have concerns about their child’s vision
REQUEST FOR SERVICES
Contact Us

Email: fit@kssdb.org

Telephone: (913) 645-5645

Birth to Three Resources

Family Connect for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments

Orientation and Mobility for Babies and Toddlers: A Parent’s Guide

Resources for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments

Download the Outreach Services Map in PDF

Field Services Map jpg File

HEATHER PEDERSEN

Heather Pedersen smiling for the camera with shoulder length curly hair and wearing glasses

MELISSA SCHLEGEL

Melissa Schlegel, smiling with long brown hair and glasses

TAMMY WARFORD

Tammy Warford, smiling with long brown hair

LAURA WOHLHUTER

Laura Wohlhuter smiling for the camera with long wavy brown hair and glasses.
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