Mission Statement

The mission of RAISE is to provide coordinated, quality, comprehensive early intervention supports and services to families with infants and toddlers, birth to age three, who have developmental delays or disabilities or who are at high risk for delay. RAISE, recognizing families as the primary agents of change in their child’s development, partners with each family during service delivery, supporting them in ways that enable them to achieve their goals for their child.

Description of Program Services

• developmental screenings to determine if a young child is learning, playing, moving, talking and understanding like other children his or her age.
• multidisciplinary team eligibility determination process.
• comprehensive assessments to get a thorough understanding of a child’s strengths and challenges.
• service coordination to ensure that each family receives the necessary services and supports that will help their child reach his or her potential.
• physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and developmental services to help families help their children develop new skills and abilities during their everyday routine.
• transition support to assist families in securing appropriate services, if necessary, once their child is no longer age eligible for early intervention.

RAISE is part of the “Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia,” the statewide system of early intervention services.

Specialized Programs

Infant Massage instruction is available to families whose children are receiving RAISE services. In addition, infant massage classes (individual and group) are provided to families in the community on request.

Hours of Operation

8 AM to 5 PM Mondays through Fridays. Evening appointments are available on request.

Staff Members

Carol Burke, M.Ed., Program Manager and Early Childhood Special Educator

Rosemary Wolfe, RN, Special Instructor and Certified Infant Massage Instructor

Debby Beckley, CCC/SLP, Speech/Language Pathologist

Alva Wood, RN

Jeanne Faulds, PT, Physical Therapist

Cheri Knick, CCC/SLP, Speech/Language Pathologist (on contract with Carilion Stonewall Jackson Hospital)

Mary Grey Rhoades, OTR, Occupational Therapist (on contract with Carilion Stonewall Jackson Hospital)

Success Stories from Program

The RAISE Program gives families a survey to complete soon after they begin services and another survey to complete once they finish services. One of the main purposes of the surveys is to find out what families think about RAISE services. Families know that the RAISE staff do not see the individual surveys and so this allows them to be honest and open. Some of the survey comments from families are as follows:

It was very professional and handled well – we felt like they were doing everything they could to see that our child would get the best they had to offer.

I have no complaints about the services we received. I cannot thank everyone enough for their time, help and hard work. Your employees are truly “angels in disguise.” Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Everything and everyone was very eager to help and work with me.

It has been wonderful!

Staff is extremely helpful, easy to talk to!

Coming to my own home for services has been very convenient and helpful. I have a 2 year old as well as a 6 month old so it would be much harder to take them both to appointments or find a babysitter.

It was great.

Went over and beyond in helping us with other services as well.

Very respectful and interacted with my child great. Explained everything. Great to work with.

Excellent communication.

They did a “great” job!! They were very helpful and very good working with my son!

Excellent help!

Contact Information

Call Carol Burke, M.Ed., Program Manager, at 540-462-6638.

Anyone, including families, may make a referral to RAISE.