Turnstone Center Expands Services for Infants and Toddlers with New Case Manager Role

With support from the Early Years Initiative, Turnstone Center for Children and Adults with Disabilities in Fort Wayne was able to expand its services by developing a dedicated case manager position. This strategic addition allows Turnstone to better address the unique developmental needs of infants and toddlers and move quickly to responsive interventions after early detection. 

Jess Davis now serves as Home & Community Case Manager for Turnstone’s Early Years program. Her initial task was to educate families about the program’s goals and how it stands out from other services, which families have responded to positively. She then addressed the program’s waitlist, ensuring each family on the list was properly connected to the services they needed. Turnstone offers an array of services including occupational therapy, speech therapy and physical therapy, and Davis can also connect families to additional resources such as counseling and child care. Acting as a central point of contact, Davis helps families navigate the various services and ensures a cohesive and efficient experience for the child. Now, with new referrals coming in, she follows up promptly to engage these families in the Early Years program. 

With a dedicated case manager, Turnstone has been able to make in-home visits standard for families in the Early Years program. This is a crucial step in quickly connecting children with the services they need. By focusing on in-home visits, Davis ensures that each family’s unique needs are met and treatment plans are aligned with their goals. She has enjoyed building deeper relationships with families during these visits, noting that in-person interactions allow for a more comprehensive understanding of each child’s situation compared to phone calls alone. 

In-home visits are especially beneficial for multi-language speaking families, which make up half of Davis’s caseload. These families often work with interpreters, and it’s helpful for Davis to have an opportunity to connect with them face-to-face. 

In addition to in-home visits and ensuring children receive therapy, Davis also works one-on-one with families to ensure their treatment plans are progressing smoothly and to refer them to any additional services they may need, either through Turnstone or other resources in Fort Wayne. It is helpful that Turnstone offers a broad spectrum of services all under one roof. Many families appreciate the convenience and coordination of multiple forms of support in a single location. 

As the Early Years program continues to grow, Turnstone is exploring ways to expand its offerings, including the potential integration of augment therapy. This cutting-edge therapeutic approach uses augmented reality to create rehabilitation exercises and wellness games designed to enhance therapy outcomes while encouraging movement at home. Augment therapy may be especially helpful for children who are waiting to receive occupational therapy. 

Thanks to the Early Years Initiative, Turnstone continues to strengthen its commitment to helping infants and toddlers get the care they need during their most crucial developmental years.