P.R.E.P

In fall 2003, the Park Ridge Hospital Foundation Board of Directors voted unanimously to fund Henderson County's Preschoolers Reaching Educational Potential (PREP) program. This service is available for all three to five-year old children and offers screenings to assess potential developmental delays in hearing, vision, language, motor or concept skills. Children are screened at their day care centers or preschools, or they may also be screened at the PREP office. Follow up is conducted at four to six months to track progress for each child.

PREP also offers a discipline program for two to twelve-year-olds called "1-2-3 Magic," as well as programs for parents who want to learn how to help their child overcome potential delays.

Park Ridge Hospital's PREP program strives to have every child enter kindergarten able to reach his or her educational potential. The program is offered free of charge.

If you know someone who might be interested in this program, please have them call PREP today at (828) 693-5652 to schedule a screening. PREP believes that all children should enter school ready to succeed.

If you would like to support the PREP program, please contact the Park Ridge Hospital Foundation at (828) 681-2421.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be referred for my child to be screened?
Answer: No, any child can be screened with the parent's permission.

Is there a charge for the screening?
Answer: No, this is a free service of Park Ridge Hospital.

Should my child be screened every year?
Answer: Yes, It is reccommended that children be screened yearly until entering knodergarten. At any point a child's ability to learn can be interupted. Having your child screened yearly from ages 3-5 ensures that they will enter kindergarten ready to learn.

What should I do if my child is found to have delays?
Answer: PREP offers a follow-up program to work with children found to have mild delays. This program provides children with one-on-one instruction in the areas that they are delayed. Parents whose children have speech delays or more severe developmental delays are provided with resources for their children. Referrals can be made through PREP if needed.

Do the results of the screen follow my child to school?
Answer: No, the results of the screen are only shared with the parents, the child's health care provider and child's care center or preschool. Parental permission is required for any information to be shared.