Early Childhood Programs

Incredible Years®

The Incredible Years program is designed for children from birth to 8 years of age and their parents or guardians. This award-winning parent, teacher and child social skills training program helps ensure that parents and infants form strong bonds while helping parents learn and practice parenting skills. 

The Incredible Years program helps toddlers and preschoolers with early onset conduct problems to develop prosocial behaviors, such as: 

• Aggressiveness
• On-going tantrums
• Acting out behaviors such as whining, yelling, hitting, kicking, swearing, refusing to follow rules
• Difficulty interacting with others
• Potential removal/expulsion from a childcare center or school
• Hyperactivity, impulsivity
• Inattention, inability to focus

Companion Group for Parents and Caregivers

Incredible Years includes a companion group for parents and caregivers. This group provides a confidential, supportive setting to learn how to strengthen your child’s social and emotional regulation skills. Caregivers receive guidance for using praise and incentives effectively, setting limits and using positive discipline techniques. It is also an opportunity for parents to share their experiences and learn from each other.

For more information about our Incredible Years® program, email us at incredibleyears@cgfs.org.

Toddlers and Preschoolers Succeeding (TAPS)

The TAPS program prepares children for school and later success by equipping them with the skills to follow directions and stay on task, communicate well, develop positive relationships with other children and adults and feel good about themselves.  TAPS is offered in a number of local childcare centers, in preschools and as part of Head Start and Early Head Start Programs.

When a child is struggling with his or her behavior at childcare or in preschool, it can be frustrating and overwhelming for the child, the family and the childcare center.

Our Early Childhood Mental Health Consultants are on-site and can assist with:

• Screening & Assessment (ASQ, DECA, plus others!)
• Resiliency and school readiness for all children
• Modeling and coaching effective behaviors
• Classroom support for teachers
• Intensive behavioral training for teachers
• Community linkages for families
• Action planning
• Promoting childcare center staff wellness & retention

For more information about our TAPS program, email us at taps@cgfs.org.

Infant Vitality

MommyCare Groups

Through a partnership with Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority, Maternal Depression support groups are offered for new moms and moms-to-be. A mother’s health challenges can impact a child’s development and the emotional and mental health of the infant. Our support groups help to reduce that impact, allowing children to start their life in a healthier place; and helping mothers and families build stronger bonds and emotionally healthier family relationships. Groups are free to participants and utilize an evidence-based curriculum. Individuals can join at any time, as the groups are ongoing and open.

Child Guidance & Family Solutions Infant Mortality/Healthy Moms & Babies Program

The Infant Mortality/Healthy Moms & Babies Program employs Certified Community Health Workers (CHWs) to help pregnant mothers, to promote healthy full-term pregnancies and ensure that every child celebrates their first birthday.

The program is part of a larger county Full-Term First Birthday initiative. CHWs help to reduce and eliminate Summit County’s infant mortality rates through:

• Outreach
• Health education
• Care coordination
• Advocacy

CHWs can assist clients with obtaining health insurance, transportation, housing, meeting basic needs, preparing for the baby, connecting to community services and resources, managing stress, quitting smoking and managing medical conditions.

Cribs for Kids® Infant Safe Sleep Program

Child Guidance & Family Solutions has partnered with Akron Children’s Hospital—offering services (Cribs for Kids Safe Sleep Survival Kits and portable crib/cribettes) through the Summit County Cribs for Kids Program.

For additional information about our Infant Vitality program, call us at 330-762-0591.