Early Childhood

The first few years of life are vital for your child's long-term success. Wheeler is a national leader in early childhood issues and creates healthier beginnings through a continuum that engages young children and their families. We work with professionals, providers and the community on strategies to ensure children can learn and grow. This strong foundation promotes wellness and supports developmental success and healthy relationships with peers, teachers and your family.

For Children

For Parents

Related Services


FOR CHILDREN

Autism Spectrum Evaluation and Assessment
Serves children, ages 3 and older, and includes multidisciplinary autism spectrum diagnostic evaluation and assessment services. Offered at 91 Northwest Drive, Plainville, for Medicaid-enrolled families.
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Child First™
A no-cost intensive, therapeutic home visiting program that works with parents and families to help address emotional, behavioral or developmental challenges, as well as learning problems in young children, birth to 6.
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HealthySteps
HealthySteps, a program of ZERO TO THREE, is a national evidence-based, pediatric primary care model that promotes healthy development for babies and toddlers and positive parenting. HealthySteps focuses on the importance of early screening and intervention for young children. Wheeler’s integrated pediatric health care team at the Hartford Family Health and Wellness Center is the first group in Connecticut to implement this model.
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Learning Enhancement Attachment-based Pre-school Program (LEAP)
Offers a trauma-informed therapeutic pre-school classroom for children between the ages of 2.9 and 5 years who live in New Britain. LEAP is a collaboration between Wheeler and the YWCA of New Britain and is located at the YWCA’s facility.
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HELPING PARENTS SUCCEED

Parent Connections
A no-cost, in-home service that provides information, support and guidance to families with young children, ages birth to 5, who have concerns about their young child’s progress, growth and development.
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RELATED SERVICES

Early Childhood Consultation Partnership®
An evidence-based early childhood mental health consultation program designed to meet the social and emotional needs of children, birth to 5, by offering support, education and consultation to daycare, pre-school and other educational settings that serve young children, as well as to their parents and other caregivers.
(learn more)

RELATED STORIES

Federal Grant Supports Developmental Screening, Intervention, Other Services for Children through Wheeler’s Five Community Health Centers

A two-year, $400,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) will help Wheeler improve developmental outcomes for children ages birth through five through increased screenings and follow-up care. Services are offered through its five community health centers in Bristol, Hartford, New Britain, Plainville, and Waterbury.

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Back to School - Unpacking the Mental Backpack

Our Melissa Mendez, LCSW, IMH-E, Director of Early Childhood Programs at Wheeler, participated in a August 26 virtual event from the YWCA Hartford Region, "Back to School: A Conversation Unpacking the Mental Backpack."

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