The Early Childhood Outreach (EChO) Program offers consultation services and support to Durham child care providers and families when a young child's behavior presents a challenge in the classroom. EChO assists the teachers in meeting the child's needs by suggesting effective classroom strategies to address the challenging behaviors. Teachers are provided coaching from the EChO consultant as they implement these new ideas. Support to families and assistance in finding essential community resources is also available.

Program Details: EChO consultants work closely with families and child care providers to better understand the child's behavior. This is done through classroom observations, developmental screenings, and discussions with parents and providers.

Program Eligibility: The EChO program is open to any child, 0-5 years old, who is presenting challenging behavior in a Durham County childcare program. The challenging behavior may be any behavior that is effecting the child's success in the classroom, including: being unable to follow rules or instructions, being aggressive, having an unusually short attention span, having temper tantrums, or being excessively shy and withdrawn. In order to build upon the child's strengths, child care providers and parents are asked to discuss not only the child's challenging behaviors, but also the child's strengths and things he or she does well.

Program Referrals: Referrals must be made jointly by the childcare program and the child's parents or legal guardians. Call (919) 403-8249, Ext 233 or email avivas@exchangefamilycenter.org to make a referral or get more information on the EChO Program.

Program Cost: FREE to children enrolled in Durham County childcare programs.

Teacher Training: We also offer occasional teaching seminars for Durham child care providers on issues common to many of the classrooms we serve. Click to learn about upcoming trainings.

EChO is funded by Durham's Partnership for Children, a Smart Start Initiative. http://dpfc.net/