Kids Who Count

02/04/2026

If your child is turning three soon it's time to transition from KWC Early Intervention to Nebo School District preschool services!

**What to Expect:**

**Timeline:** Planning starts 90 days before your child's 3rd birthday

**Transition Conference:** We'll meet with you and Nebo School District to discuss your child's needs, preschool services, and the evaluation process

**Evaluation:** Nebo School District will review existing assessments and may conduct additional testing to determine eligibility

**IEP:** If eligible, an Individualized Education Program will be developed before your child turns 3

**Important to Know:**
- Eligibility criteria for preschool services differ from Early Intervention
- You are a full member of the IEP team and the most important voice in this process
- Kids Who Count coordinates with Nebo School District to ensure a smooth transition

**Your Rights:**
Nebo School District will provide information about your procedural safeguards, including rights to participate in decisions, review records, and resolve disagreements.

Have questions? Contact your KWC service coordinator. We're here to support you every step of the way!

02/04/2026

Kids Who Count and Early Intervention providers across Utah are seeking critical legislative funding for Part C services—programs that help children ages 0-3 with developmental delays and disabilities thrive.

Early intervention works. It transforms outcomes for children, strengthens families, and reduces future costs. But providers statewide are facing severe financial strain that threatens our ability to serve the infants and toddlers who need us.

ACTION NEEDED NOW:
✅ Check the information flyer in our bio
✅ Contact your legislators TODAY and tell them why Early Intervention matters
✅ Share this post to spread awareness
✅ Attend public comment if you can

CRITICAL DATES:
February 5, 7:00 AM - Funding request introduced
February 9, 8:00 AM - Public comment session

Your voice can make the difference. Let's protect these essential services for Utah's youngest children.

02/03/2026

Kids Who Count will have a booth at this event. Drop by to say hi. We hope to see you there.

02/02/2026

02/02/2026

SIBLING CREW 🌟

Calling all amazing siblings ages 6-13! Does your brother or sister have special needs? Join our Sibling Crew for a fun-filled evening just for YOU!

✨ What we offer:

👉 Fun activities designed just for siblings
👉 Group discussions with kids who "get it"
👉 Delicious dinner included

📅 When: February 3rd, 5:00 - 6:30 PM
📍 Where: Kids Who Count, Salem

Being a sibling to someone with special needs makes you pretty special too! Come connect with other kids who understand your unique experience.

02/01/2026

Early and regular vision and hearing screenings play a vital role in your child's overall health and development. When hearing or vision issues are detected early, there are significantly more treatment options available to help your child thrive academically and socially.

FREE monthly screenings are available at our Salem office this week. Call today to schedule your child's appointment.

01/30/2026

When your child has a progressive auto-inflammatory disease and complex medical needs, finding therapists who truly understand can feel impossible. I honestly worried that providers would hesitate to take on my son's case.

From day one, Kids Who Count staff met my son exactly where he was. No hesitation. No limits placed on what he could achieve. Instead, they got creative—really creative—in finding ways to help him thrive.

Watching them work with him has changed everything. They've become an invaluable part of his care team, and their scheduling flexibility, friendliness, and genuine care have made such a difference for our entire family.

But here's what really gets me: my son is doing things I honestly didn't think were possible. Kids Who Count has challenged me to think outside the box as a parent, and that shift in perspective has benefited both of us in ways I never expected.

They're not just providing therapy—they're giving our family hope and showing us what's possible when the right support believes in your child.

Thank you, Kids Who Count, for being the blessing our family needed. 💙

01/28/2026

A New Chapter for KWC! 🎉

After serving as Executive Director since November 2022, Melanie Linford is stepping down from her leadership role—but she's not going far! Melanie, who has been with KWC since 1994 (31 years!), is returning to her true love: visiting and working directly with families.

"Early intervention and working with children and families is my passion," Melanie shares. "It's why I'm staying with this program—because I believe in the difference we can make in these young lives."

Thank you, Melanie, for your incredible leadership. We're so grateful you're staying with us! 💙

Welcome, Mirna Chavez!
We're thrilled to announce Mirna Chavez as our new Executive Director! With 19 years in early intervention, Mirna is passionate about helping families and children reach their potential. As a certified trainer and first-generation college graduate, she believes in the power of mentorship to transform lives.

Join us in welcoming Mirna to this new role! 🎉

Together, Melanie and Mirna represent the heart of what we do—supporting families and making a lasting difference in young lives.

01/26/2026

Playing outside in winter isn't just about burning energy—it's crucial for your toddler's development.

Why it matters:
Cold weather builds resilience that indoor play can't match. Navigating icy patches, crunching through snow, and feeling wind creates sensory-rich experiences that support brain development and teach risk assessment.

The benefits:
Walking through snow builds strength and balance. Climbing snow banks or standing up in a snowsuit teaches persistence and problem-solving. Plus, cold air doesn't make kids sick—germs do, and those thrive indoors. Regular outdoor time actually supports immune function and improves sleep.

Make it simple:
Dress in layers and aim for even 20-30 minutes. They don't need elaborate activities—exploring, touching snow, or watching winter birds is enough.

Winter play teaches your toddler they're capable and that the world is worth exploring, even when it's uncomfortable. Those lessons last far beyond childhood.

01/21/2026

Happy National Hugging Day! 🤗

January 21st is the perfect reminder: your child needs your hugs more than you know.

Research shows kids need 4 hugs a day for survival, 8 for maintenance, and 12 for growth. When you hug your child, you're not just showing love—you're reducing their stress, building their confidence, and helping their brain develop healthy emotional connections.

We count so many things as parents: veggies eaten, hours slept, tasks completed.

But today, let's count hugs instead.

Some days are exhausting, but a hug costs nothing and gives everything. It says "I love you," "You're safe," and "You matter" all at once.

So pause today. Give that extra squeeze. Cuddle longer at bedtime. Your arms are the first place they learned what home feels like.

How many hugs will you give today? 💙

❤️

01/20/2026

🎉 Happy Birthday, Lyda! 🎂

We're so grateful for your dedication and heart at Kids Who Count! Thank you for making a difference in the lives of our children and families every day.

Wishing you a day as wonderful as you are! 💙

01/19/2026

Here are some ways to teach your toddlers about Martin Luther King Jr. Day:

Say things like:
"Martin Luther King Jr. was a very kind man who helped people be fair to each other. He wanted everyone to be friends, no matter what they looked like. We celebrate him because he taught us to be kind and treat everyone the same."

Remember:
Toddlers learn best through concrete examples.

👉🏼 Pair your words with:
👉🏼 Books featuring diverse characters
👉🏼 Activities about friendship and kindness
👉🏼 Conversations about how we're all special and different

Even our youngest learners can begin to understand the value of treating everyone with kindness.