Dyslexia Initiative  |  Committees and Workgroups

Touchpoints is a strength based model developed by Dr. T. Berry Brazelton for training a multi-disciplinary team of professionals in a community to provide them with skills and strategies with which they can build alliances with parents of children aged birth to three. The Touchpoints Model is a form of preventive outreach, which engages parents around important information about their child's development.  Through the Touchpoints Model of outreach and prevention, practitioners can work with parents to bring about healthier outcomes for children.

This model brings together two very important components: the developmental model (the child's development) and the relational model (communication between practitioner/parent and parent/child).  It helps you understand the child from a physical, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral point of view.

What is a "Touchpoint"?

A Touchpoint is a predictable period before a spurt in development when a
child's behavior seems to fall apart.

These predictable periods can:
 Provide opportunities for understanding and growth within the family
 
Create a period of behavioral disorganization resulting in disruption of family life.

When does a "Touchpoint" occur?

Between the ages of 0 to 3 years old, Touchpoints usually occur in the following time frames:

In Luzerne County, the Children's Alliance created a 6 member Touchpoints team who were trained at the Brazelton Touchpoints Center and has begun training providers of services for children and families using the Dr. T. Berry Brazelton approach. Providers must complete a full 16 1/2 hour training to be completely trained on the Touchpoints Model, however shorter trainings can be developed to focus on a specific topic.

If you are interested in finding out more information on Touchpoints trainings, please contact our Luzerne County Site Coordinator:

Kristen Huff, Vice-President of Community Planning United Way of Wyoming Valley
450 Citizen's Bank Building
8 West Market Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
Phone:  (570) 829-6711
Fax:  (570) 822-0522

United Way of Wyoming Valley
8 West Market Street, Suite 450
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania 18711
Phone: (570) 829-6711
Fax: (570) 822-0522