December 7, 2022

SC LAMP is a co-sponsored ministry of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus

Diana Pinto – Executive Director, South Central Los Angeles Ministry Project (SC LAMP)

Did you know that children of color living in low-income households are less likely to be diagnosed with developmental delays at an early age? Why is this important? Studies show that the sooner a child gets an assessment, the more likely s/he will be able to succeed in life. Early intervention services can have an enormous impact on a young child’s ability to learn and grow.

This reality is why South Central LAMP’s two-generation approach is huge for families in our community. Each child in our program receives an assessment completed by his/her teacher, allowing on-site professionals to observe if the child is developing within a “normal” range and reaching their developmental milestones. When we see a child not falling within the “normal” range, we can provide referrals and resources to specialized agencies for added support to the family.

Because we approach this matter holistically, our parenting classes include workshops on what “normal” development looks like. The class provides parents with a safe space to reflect on their children, ask questions, and better understand their children’s developmental stages. Often these classes are where moms start to seek support or learn to be more open to referrals because the discussions allow them to see other moms dealing with challenges as well.

South Central LAMP families have a “village” to help them navigate the complexities of developmental diagnoses. The support we provide has empowered many parents to make better medical decisions for their children and learn how to best support them.