Building Brighter Futures: Help Me Grow’s Early Intervention Program

Heart of Florida United Way is proud to stand for Central Florida families — supporting their financial stability, education, health, and basic needs. Help Me Grow is one of the ways in which Heart of Florida United Way supports local families with a free early intervention program.

Help Me Grow is a comprehensive early intervention program designed to help parents screen their children, ages 0 to 8, for behavioral, educational and developmental issues early on. By identifying these concerns early, Help Me Grow connects families with the local services and support they need in Orange, Osceola, Seminole, and Polk counties.

The program is open access.

There are no criteria, such as income limits or immigration status, that will prevent a family from getting help. Furthermore, the program is completely free. 

To provide consistent support, families are assigned a dedicated Help Me Grow representative who remains their point of contact until they connect with necessary services or no longer need our help.

The Importance of an Early Intervention Program

A child’s early years are a critical period of rapid brain development, making early intervention essential for their healthy growth. Undiagnosed or untreated developmental delays can hinder a child’s communication skills, academic progress, and emotional well-being.
 
That’s why Identifying and addressing developmental concerns early can significantly impact a child’s future success. Help Me Grow recognizes this and offers a range of services designed to make a lasting difference by providing families with the resources and support they need to identify and address developmental concerns early.   

How Help Me Grow Can Make a Difference for Your Family

• Comprehensive Screening: The program offers a variety of developmental screenings that are easy to access. Parents can request a free screening by contacting Heart of Florida United Way’s 211 Information & Referral Line and asking for Help Me Grow or visiting the Help Me Grow website at www.helpmegrowfl.org.
• Early Intervention: By identifying developmental delays and disabilities early, Help Me Grow connects families with local services and support in Orange, Osceola, Seminole, and Polk counties. This early intervention is key to providing children with the best possible start in life.
   
• Consistent Support: Once a family is assigned a Help Me Grow representative, that representative remains their contact throughout the process. This ensures consistency and support as families navigate early childhood screenings and services.
   
• Advocacy and Education: Help Me Grow supports parents in advocating for their children’s rights within the school system. This includes educating with community partners, we create a strong foundation for children to thrive.

All families are Welcome

Every child deserves the best possible start. That’s why Help Me Grow welcomes all families, regardless of background or concerns. We’re here to support you and your child’s development.

How to Get Started

Parents do not need to wait until they have concerns to contact Help Me Grow. 

To access Help Me Grow, parents can simply call the Heart of Florida United Way 211 Information & Referral Line or visit the Help Me Grow website at www.helpmegrowfl.org.

Once there, parents can request a free developmental screening and begin their child’s journey towards early intervention.

Once a child has been identified as needing additional support, Help Me Grow connects the family with appropriate services tailored to their specific needs. 

These services may include therapy, special education, or early childhood intervention programs. Their dedicated representatives will provide ongoing support and guidance throughout the process, ensuring families feel connected and empowered.

How the Gonzelez Family Found Hope with Help Me Grow

The Gonzalez family was concerned about their daughter’s development. They noticed she could only say a few words and was struggling with communication and social interactions. And then their daughter’s daycare directed them to the Help Me Grow program, an initiative coordinated by the Early Learning Coalition in Osceola County.  

After entering the program, they were assigned a committed Help Me Grow specialist that guided them through essential developmental screenings. The family was then connected with the Early Steps program, where their daughter received interventions and guided learning sessions tailored to her specific needs. 

This individualized support significantly improved her ability to interact and communicate.

Join Us in Building a Brighter Future for Central Florida Families

Help Me Grow is more than just a program; it’s a lifeline for families navigating the complexities of early childhood development. By supporting Help Me Grow, you are contributing to a brighter future for our community’s children. 

Invest in our community’s future by donating to the Heart of Florida United Way today. For more information about Heart of Florida United Way, the Help Me Grow program in Central Florida, or other vital resources for parents, visit www.HFUW.org. You can also dial 211 to be directed to available community resources.

Help Me Grow is a statewide program sponsored by the statewide nonprofit, The Children’s Forum, and the State of Florida, Division of Early Learning. Additional grant funds are secured by each local affiliate in support of the services offered.