Galilee was born six weeks premature, weighing only 5 pounds and 9 ounces. In addition to her early arrival, she was diagnosed with profound to severe hearing loss. To ensure she had the best start possible, Sanford Hospital connected her family with community resources early on, transitioning her care from the hospital to Early Intervention services with Pediatric Partners.
Early Intervention (EI) services are designed to support children from birth to age three. A key benefit of this program is that babies born prematurely or those who required NICU care often qualify for services immediately—even before developmental delays become apparent.
For Galilee, this meant starting support shortly after discharge. By beginning services early, her team could focus on:
- Cognitive development: Building foundational learning skills.
- Social and Physical skills: Supporting age-appropriate milestones through play and interaction.
- Communication: Preparing for her transition to hearing aids.
“The Pediatric Partners Early Intervention team has been a great support for our family. They are helping Gali reach her full potential, leading to significant gains in her cognitive, social, and physical skills. They come to our home weekly, and we—as parents—get to actively participate in a natural setting. We know our child best, and the team is incredibly accommodating and supportive. We just want what’s best for Gali. We truly believe that Early Intervention is giving her the best chance for a positive outcome in the future,” said Galilee’s parents.
Today, Galilee is growing, babbling, and meeting her milestones. Her journey highlights the importance of proactive care. Because her family started Early Intervention early, she has a dedicated team at Pediatric Partners helping her reach her full potential.