Early Intervention Clinic
“Diversity is being invited to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance”
Verna Myers
In-House Early Intervention Support:
At Partners in Learning, we are driven by a passionate conviction: that the foundation for a lifetime of success is built in the earliest years of a child’s life. We believe that identifying and addressing developmental needs from birth to age five is not just beneficial, but essential for ensuring every child has the strongest possible start before they step into a kindergarten classroom.
The period from birth to five is a time of incredible brain development. Early intervention during this critical window can make a significant and lasting impact on a child’s cognitive, social, and emotional growth. By recognizing and supporting a child’s unique developmental path early on, we can help pave the way for greater academic achievement, improved social skills, and enhanced confidence.
A Collaborative Approach to Growth
At the heart of our commitment is our in-house Early Intervention Clinic. This dedicated team of specialists monitors the growth and development of every child at Partners in Learning. We work hand-in-hand with families, teachers, and other important figures in a child’s life to create a holistic support system. Through ongoing observation, developmental screenings, and open communication, we ensure that each child receives the individualized support they need to thrive.
Our collaborative process includes:
- Comprehensive Developmental Monitoring: Regular check-ins to track milestones and identify any potential areas for support.
- Family Partnership: Meeting with families to discuss their child’s progress, share insights, and develop strategies that can be implemented both at school and at home.
- Teacher Collaboration: Equipping our educators with the knowledge and tools to create an inclusive and effective learning environment for every child.
Extending Our Expertise to the Community
Recognizing the profound need for high-quality early intervention services, Partners in Learning is proud to offer our expertise to other child care centers and schools on a limited basis. By request, our Early Intervention Clinic can provide consultations, assessments, and support to help other educators build their capacity to serve all children effectively.
Training for Equitable Learning
A cornerstone of our philosophy is the belief in equitable learning experiences for all. Our Early Intervention Clinic provides ongoing training and coaching for our staff, as well as for partnering organizations. This training focuses on evidence-based strategies and best practices for supporting diverse learners, ensuring that every child, regardless of their developmental path, has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
By investing in early identification and intervention, we are not just preparing children for kindergarten; we are building a foundation for a future of learning, growth, and success.
Community-Based Rehabilitative Services (CBRS):
Our individualized approach ensures that services are tailored to meet the unique challenges and goals of your child. Through collaborative supportamong a team of dedicated professionals, we provide comprehensive care not just for the child, but also crucial guidance and resources to support the entire family.
Acting early can significantly reduce the long-term impact of developmental delays. Children enrolled in the program may also be eligible for evaluations, service coordination, assistive technology, and specialized therapy.
Our Service Area
Partners In Learning offers Community-Based Rehabilitative Services (CBRS) for children ages birth to three in Rowan and surrounding counties, including: Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Catawba, Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Guilford, Iredell, Lincoln, Stanly, Stokes, Surry, Union, Wilkes, and Yadkin.
To learn more about North Carolina’s Early Intervention Program and Children’s Developmental Service Agencies, please visit beearly.nc.gov.
Melanie Fortner – Early Intervention Inclusion Coach
Melanie Fortner serves as an Early Intervention Inclusion Coach at Partners in Learning, working on-site 10 hours a 
week to empower educators and foster inclusive classroom environments. In her role, Melanie provides hands-on coaching and mentoring to classroom teachers, reviews student assessments, and helps design tailored classroom modifications and accommodations for children with disabilities and developmental delays. She also provides Community Based Rehabilitative Services (CBRS) and is an accredited Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) Practitioner.
Bringing over 30 years of experience supporting children with disabilities, developmental delays, and complex medical histories, Melanie is deeply passionate about helping families and educators build thriving learning communities. In her personal life, she has been happily married for 30 years and is the proud mother of a recently engaged son. Outside of work, Melanie stays grounded and energized through gym workouts, hiking, and enjoying the outdoors.
Logan Garner - Early Intervention Behavioral Specialist
Logan continues to make a meaningful difference at Partners in Learning through a dual role dedicated to comprehensive child and family support. Bringing over eight years of experience across early childhood intervention, project management, and leadership, he splits his time providing 20 hours a week of ABA Services—conducting assessments, developing individual treatment plans, and tracking client progress—and 15 to 20 hours a week as an Early Intervention Behavioral Specialist. In his behavioral specialist capacity, Logan directly assists classroom teachers and staff with tailored behavior strategies, de-escalation techniques, and hands-on training to foster positive, nurturing learning environments. Holding his master’s degree in Behavioral Psychology and actively working towards full accreditation as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Logan works collaboratively alongside families, educators, and the clinical team to ensure strong communication, consistent care, and empowering outcomes for every child PIL serves.