Infant Learning Program spotlighted by new documentary

A new documentary film is shining a bright light on a glaring need in the Mat-Su.

“ILP” – short for Infant Learning Program – tells the story of Yulia Smith, a development specialist with Mat-Su Services for Children and Adults whose own child needed the early intervention services she now provides to others. Designed for children from birth through age 3 who are experiencing delays in development or who have disabilities, the program is important because it prepares babies and toddlers for all stages of development that follow by providing interventions that help reduce the expense and need for services later in life.

The film highlights the successes of the infant learning program and the potential dangers of underfunding it, especially in a fast-growing, high-demand region like the Valley. A free public screening is set for 5:30 p.m. Sept. 24 at Valley Cinemas in Wasilla.

The movie was about a year in the making. A collaboration between filmmaker Joshua Branstetter and writer/producer Laura Norton-Cruz, a social worker and film aficionado, ILP had its debut screening in April in Juneau to an audience that included legislators who were debating funding for the Infant Learning Program at the time.

“Film is a good way to tell a story and move people,” she said. “It has unparalleled capacity to create social change by moving the hearts and minds of decision-makers and influencing culture.”

To that end, the initial screening was a success. After 11 years of flat-funding being diminished by rising demand, legislators decided to increase funding for the program after watching the film. That increase was eventually vetoed by Gov. Mike Dunleavy. But Senate Bill 178, which mandates the increase as well as a broadening of criteria to allow more families in need to use infant learning program services, is still pending committee and floor votes in the Legislature. Norton-Cruz said she hopes the local screening of ILP will bring additional advocacy to the issues involved and help get SB 178 across the finish line when legislators reconvene in January.

“People need to feel and see the stories and see the tangible details of families who are denied services because of regulatory restrictions. It’s heartbreaking to see the need,” she said. “The research and data are in the film. These aren’t just statistics, though. They are sweet babies and struggling parents who want to do the best for their kids. That’s what is important for people to see up close.”

Hardly a lone-wolf endeavor, the film ILP would not have been possible without a formidable coalition of nonprofit organizations brought together for the purpose of getting the message out about the need for infant learning services. Mat-Su Services for Children and Adults is the primary sponsor, and CSS Early Learning is also on board, with the Mat-Su Health Foundation providing the funding and its considerable organizational and strategic expertise. “Each organization acted as producers,” Norton-Cruz said. “They got to help edit the film and ensure it reflected the values of their programs.”

The Health Foundation has been making this kind of investment in community health and wellness since 2007, when it became a minority owner of the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center and began channeling a share of its hospital revenue to nonprofits across the Valley.

“I’m really in admiration of the Mat-Su Health Foundation’s willingness to invest in this kind of social change strategy,” Norton-Cruz said. “You can’t watch this film without being moved. Yulia’s story is very powerful. It communicates at the parent level about how important and effective this program is.”

FIND OUT MORE

Mat-Su Services for Children and Adults

www.mssca.org

Senate Bill 178

www.akleg.gov/basis/Bill/Detail/34?Root=sb%20178

“Early Childhood in Alaska” film series:

https://vimeo.com/showcase/11541052