Crossroads Health offers early intervention for children with developmental delays or mental health issues

By Patricia Nugent

With suspected developmental delays or mental health issues in babies, toddlers and children, the earlier clinical intervention and prevention takes place, the better the outcomes.

In Lake County, Crossroads Health early childhood services provides professional developmental evaluation and assessment of children with challenges and offers mental health support services.

“We do everything in our power to foster an environment for successful development for those ages zero to five years of age,” says Annmarie Gunsch, who is director of early childhood services.

There is a central intake line and referrals come from parents, caregivers, school administrators, physicians and public service agencies with concerns about a child’s development.

“Once we determine the eligibility of a child, there are a variety of settings to offer assessment, evaluation and support, such as through community-based programs and going directly into the homes,” she says. “We make home visits for pregnant women and families with children to educate them on topics including child development, parenting and school readiness.”

They appoint a service coordinator who assists families in finding additional resources, whether that means physical or occupational therapy or child psychiatry, so they can meet each child’s developmental goals to get them ready for school.

Early childhood services also helps support child development, and social and emotional functioning to decrease behavioral concerns at childcare centers and preschools in an outreach capacity.

Their consultants team with early childhood providers and families in and out of the classroom to assist with effective responses to disruptive behaviors.

“We appreciate that we serve a vulnerable population of young children and their families and we want them to get the very best start in life that they can,” says Annmarie. “And we’re glad more and more families are seeking out our services. With a rolling enrollment, we serve more than 2,000 individuals each year.”

Crossroads Health is a community-based 501(C)(3) nonprofit with five main locations in Lake County: 8445 Munson Road in Mentor, 9220 Mentor Avenue in Mentor, 1083 Mentor Avenue in Painesville, 35104 Euclid Avenue, Suite 300 in Willoughby and 2 Success Boulevard at Perry High School in Perry. Call 440-255-1700 or visit CrossroadsHealth.org for more information. The main crisis hotline is 440-953-8255.