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The nurse in the neonatal unit suggested Matt and Courtney Elliott make the call.

Turns out -- it was the call that saved their lives on so many levels.

Their son Barrett, who was not breathing immediately after his birth and had to be resuscitated -- and then suffered seizures at his 15th and 18th minutes of life -- was headed home with Dad after spending five days in the neonatal unit and finally being weaned off of a ventilator. His mom arrived home five days later, after undergoing two gallbladder-related surgeries resulting from her pre- and post-birth preeclampsia.

Definitely a rough start.

Then, a lifesaving nudge by a nurse changed their trajectory and helped set the course for Barrett's growth and development.

"We're first-time parents," Courtney said. "At the time, we had no idea how to move forward and cope given Barrett's needs, but the nurse said this is the place that can help."

This "place" turned out to be the Educational Service Unit #3, which houses the Early Development Network (EDN). The EDN screens children birth-3 years old and provides early intervention services for those with delays in development or health needs and connects families to services through their respective school districts. Services coordinators at the EDN encourage all parents with any concerns whatsoever to call for a free, and stress-free, evaluation -- even if it's just to see where their child is developmentally. If services are not recommended, that's it. If there is a need for support, the EDN has a lot to offer the child and their family. The Educational Service Unit #3 serves four counties, 18 school districts, and more than 5,000 educators and 85,000 children.

The Elliotts met with services coordinator Jess Anderson in their home just days after making the call.

After multiple respiratory infections, developmental delays and multiple hospital visits, Barrett now has a team that consists of Andersen, a physical therapist, an occupational therapist, a neurologist, an ENT specialist, a pediatrician and a childcare teacher, to name a few, who meet with the family several times a month.

"The Early Development Network has been the comfort on the other end of the phone," Courtney said. "I can talk to Jess about our insurance payments or if a particular bill is even covered under our plan, how to access a bill, how to thicken his formula so he doesn't aspirate, what exercises to use to help with the neurological problem with his one foot. The list is endless. They've even worked with our current day care provider to ensure the support we receive is consistent from home to school. Those times I've received bad news over the phone, Jess is the first one to reach out and help provide the comfort, connections and resources we need to continue moving forward. ... I came home from the hospital with a lot of fear and uncertainty and since then, because of the EDN, I feel I've really grown in my confidence as a mom and better advocate for my son."

Barrett is about to turn 1 and the little bright-eyed redhead is as calm, cool and collected as can be.

"His nickname is Little Bear," Courtney said, "and it fits him perfectly because he is as strong as a bear."

And thanks to the loving and caring support of the Early Development Network, Little Bear and the Elliott family continue to carry on.

For more information on The Early Development Network's services and resources, or to schedule an evaluation, please visit omahaedn.esu3.org or call 402.471.2471 (toll-free 888.806.6287).

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