Behavioral, Emotional, and Resiliency Skills (BEARS) Program
The Behavioral, Emotional, and Resiliency Skills program is an early childhood prevention program designed to support children ages 0-5 in childcare who are experiencing challenges. Sometimes these challenges may put children at risk of expulsion from their early childcare setting. B.E.A.R.S. is designed to keep children in childcare and will help parents and caregivers.
We work with licensed child care centers, preschools, and registered family day care homes; relative providers and day care aides. Service is provided by consultants who specialize in infant, young children, and family intervention.
Services provided include: on-site observations at child care or preschool site, home visits for the family, developmental and behavioral assessments, coordination of services, and team planning.
B.E.A.R.S. is a U.P.-wide collaborative partnership of the 4C of the U.P. and Copper Country Mental Health Institute. Funding for this project is provided by Michigan Department of Community Health through funds from the Michigan Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC).
How Does It Work?
When providers and parents have a shared concern or questions about a child's behavior that includes social and emotional skills, they can sign a referral for the B.E.A.R.S. program and send it to the 4C main office.
Once a signed referral is received, an early childhood consultant will contact the parent and provider to set up an initial observation and gather information.
Further consultation is available on an as-needed basis, based on parental consent.
What Is Our Goal?
B.E.A.R.S. works to support the social and emotional need of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers by promoting early language and literacy development, increasing quality of child care, and reducing child care expulsion.
B.E.A.R.S. believes that positive changes happen when people involved in a young child's care and early education work in partnership.
B.E.A.R.S. is designed to help parents and caregivers:
- Enjoy their children more
- Learn and use positive guidance techniques
- Utilize community resources
- Reduce family and environmental stress
- Enhance their child's social and emotional growth
B.E.A.R.S. offers Programmatic Consultation:
- Support to enhance caregiver knowledge of children's development and emotional needs
- Strategies to improve communication among administrators, staff, and parents
- Training and coaching for administrators and staff
- Assistance for environmental improvements
- Parent workshops
Who Is Eligible?
Any child between the ages 0-5 years who is in a childcare setting and is experiencing difficulties is eligible for the B.E.A.R.S. program. Just complete a referral form and send it to the 4C main office.
THERE IS NO FEE FOR THIS SERVICE.
"Working together to enhance the early years."
For further information contact the 4C of the U.P.
