Ask Melody's Mom

During PIC’s early years, call-in hours for parents seeking help or information occurred Monday through Friday between 7-8 A.M. Those calling in never knew that the telephone was placed on the kitchen table during the conversations while Mrs. Arons made breakfast for her family, braided Melody’s hair, got lunch bags packed, and all of the other activities that parents do throughout the nation each morning. Melody sometimes listened to her mother’s end of those conversations and said “Mommy, I like it when you help people.”

For each of you who have your own Melody or Matthew or Jose or AnnMarie, you are encouraged to get involved with MAC. If you have a specific question about your child or about any Pre-K issue, do not hesitate to contact Melody’s Mom through this website.

MAC SKYPE CONSULTATION & TRAINING

ASK MELODY’S MOM
Skype Phone: 201-304-7449
(Message can be left without having Skype.)

MAC is increasingly contacted about early intervention in New Jersey, as well as child development questions generally. Early intervention varies state to state. So for now, Skype consultation for your child and training in accessing the early intervention system will be limited to New Jersey (NJEIS).

CONSULTATION

1. Consultation is available for any early intervention question. First, try to clarify the problem(s) with your service coordinator or provider. Their answers should be clear and understandable, with specific outcomes as a result. Because the EI window of services closes at age 3, it is vital for your child to receive services as soon as possible once he/she is eligible. Current problems, for example, deal primarily with the co-pay system used by NJEIS. If you want a consultation with Melody’s Mom, request all of your records from the service coordinator and focus on the specific issue you want to resolve. There is no guarantee that the consultation will solve the problem, but every effort will be made to clarify it, with recommendations made. All consultations are private, will not be disclosed, and available to both parents and professionals.

   Hourly rate: $200. (Note: Parents can request a sliding scale.)
   Pay Pal payment is required prior to the consultation.

PARENT TRAINING

At present there are no early intervention training programs in the laws controlling services for parents in New Jersey. Skype classes of 2-5 people are available through MAC so that families better understand their rights and responsibilities within the State system of early intervention. This is available only to EI parents, grandparents, or caregivers. Parents who serve as advocates for any State organization are not eligible for this training.

Class size: 2-5 people
$100 per person. Sliding scale available

Once you decide on the consultation or training desired, please email your preferred date(s), times, number of people, and estimated consult or training hours requested to Marilyn Arons at Marilyn_arons@yahoo.com. All services must be prepaid to MAC’s Pay Pal account.