Serving Children and Empowering Families
CAROLINA EARLY INTERVENTION, LLC
Providing Early Intervention services in Florence, Darlington, and Chesterfield counties (South Carolina)
ABOUT CAROLINA EARLY INTERVENTION
All of our services are free!
Early Intervention Services Include:
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Developmental evaluation and assessment to determine your child’s strengths and needs
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Service Coordination
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Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)
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Family Training
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Transition Services
All services are provided in your child's natural environment (home, daycare, library, park, etc.), and are family-centered. Your child's outcomes are based on your concerns and needs. At Carolina Early Intervention, we use the latest research-based strategies to help your child make progress towards meeting their individual goals.
CAROLINA EARLY INTERVENTION TEAM
VALORIE GARNER
Owner/Early Intervention Supervisor
Hello, and welcome to Carolina Early Intervention! My name is Valorie Garner, and I am honored to serve as the founder/owner of Carolina Early Intervention, LLC. I began my career in 2009 after graduating from Francis Marion University with a degree in Psychology and Business. I have accrued over 15 years as an Early Intervention supervisor. This community is my home, and it is my passion to serve the children and families that live here. I love to spend time in the mountains and outdoors with family, friends, and dogs. I am looking forward to serving you however possible. Please do not hesitate to email me at CarolinaEarlyIntervention@gmail.com if you have any questions or concerns.
AMANDA BAILEY
Early Intervention Supervisor
Carolina Early Intervention would like to introduce you to Amanda Bailey. She is currently serving as an Early Intervention Supervisor. She graduated from Francis Marion in 2005 with a degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Music. In 2016, she obtained a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership and Administration. Prior to working as an EI, she was a classroom teacher, a Curriculum Coordinator, and a Principal. Amanda says that children are her passion, and it is a joy serving them and their families daily. In free time, her three boys keep her busy playing! Should you need to contact Amanda, her email address is abailey.carolinaei@gmail.com.
SARAH WATTS
Early Interventionist Supervisor
Carolina Early Intervention is pleased to introduce you to Sarah Watts, Early Intervention Supervisor. Sarah grew up in Florence and still resides here today with her family. Sarah proudly graduated from The University of South Carolina in 2008 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. She has 13 years of experience in her field, and has worked with young children in preschool and public elementary school. Sarah has a passion to see children reach their potential, and is excited to connect with, and coach, many lucky families! You can contact Sarah with any concerns at swatts.carolinaei@gmail.com.
JULIE MCQUEARY
Early Interventionist
Carolina Early Intervention is excited to tell you more about EI, Julie Timmons. Julie is a Florence native. Julie graduated with a degree in Elementary Education from North Greenville University. Since then, Julie has taught elementary age children in our local schools, and served as a school Reading Coach. She enjoys the outdoors with her family and dog. Children are Julie's favorite people to work with. She is excited to serve them and their families in Florence and the surrounding areas with Carolina Early Intervention. Please reach out to Julie if needed at jtimmons.carolinei@gmail.com.
NOAH CLIFFORD
Early Interventionist
Carolina Early Intervention is pleased to introduce EI, Noah Clifford. Noah recently relocated to the Florence area from upstate New York. Noah graduated with his bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Social Work with a concentration in family and community while attending the University at Albany in New York State. While completing his bachelor’s degree, Noah also worked as a preschool teacher in Vermont. Noah chose to pursue this degree and his relocation to South Carolina after volunteering in the Horry county region since 2017. When he’s not working, Noah loves going to the gym, enjoying the outdoors, and spending time with family and friends. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions for Noah at nclifford.carolinaei@gmail.com.
Crystal Mangum
Early Interventionist
Carolina Early Intervention is excited to tell you about EI, Crystal Mangum. She is a native of the Chesterfield County area. She graduated from Coker College with a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work. She has been providing Early Intervention Services for 18 years. Crystal says she loves working with children and helping them grow. Most of all, she enjoys celebrating accomplishments with children and their families. Crystal enjoys spending time with her family, on and off the baseball field, and reading a good book. If you should have any questions, please email Crystal at cmangum.carolinaei@gmail.com.
KIMBERLY MERRITTS
Early Interventionist
Carolina Early Intervention is excited to introduce EI, Kimberly Merritts. She is a resident of Florence, SC and proud graduate of Wilson High School. She graduated from Francis Marion University with a Bachelor of Science Degree. She is the proud mother of three children. Kimberly has worked as a youth leader for over 10 years and is the founder of The Inner ME, a nonprofit that empowers young girls. Her love and experience with children led her to Carolina Early Intervention. She is excited to work with the many families in the community. Feel free to reach out to Kimberly if needed at kmerritts.carolinaei@gmail.com.
OUR MISSION
Carolina Early Intervention aims to provide quality early support and to enhance families’ capacities to meet the developmental and health-related needs of their children.
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Our goal is to provide an individualized approach, based on the uniqueness of each family. We recognize and respect the beliefs, knowledge, culture, and preferences of each family, and incorporate these facets in the planning and execution of all services. By molding the best practices in education to the needs and backgrounds of each child and his/her family, we work to create specialized supports that will yield the most beneficial results for each child and family we service.
By providing support in settings most comfortable to each child and family, Carolina Early Intervention strives to promote collaborative partnerships between a family, their community, service and health care providers, schools, and childcare programs to strengthen and enhance families’ abilities to develop and use lasting networks of support.
REFERRAL AND SERVICES
REFERRAL AND ELIGIBILITY
How to Refer Your Child
If your child is under the age of three, and you feel like he/she is developing slowly, visit https://msp.scdhhs.gov/babynet/site-page/refer-child-babynet, or call BabyNet at 1-866-512-8881 to complete a referral.
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Once parents indicate interest in the program, eligibility is determined in one of two ways.
A child may be eligible on the basis of a qualifying diagnosis that would indicate the probability of lifelong disabilities.
A child might also be eligible on the basis of a delay in cognition, social, emotional, communication, gross motor, self-help, or fine motor abilities.
When eligibility has been determined, the family is referred to an early intervention provider. Carolina Early Intervention is committed to employing highly qualified interventionists. If you feel like we would be a good fit for your family, please give us a call today!
Early Intervention Services provide resources to assist families in attaining their goals for children and assist with transition to the public school system if needed.
