The Center for Early Childhood Care (CAIT) at the University of Córdoba (UCO) celebrated its fifteenth anniversary with an event that brought together the founders of CAIT, national and international experts, families, and the children they serve.
Established in October 2009 through an agreement between the city of Córdoba, the Ministry of Health, and the University of Córdoba, CAIT-UCO has been providing public health services for children with neurodevelopmental disorders from birth to six years old. In response to demand, services were extended to children aged six to 18 in 2012.
Since December 2016, CAIT has had a partnership with the Andalusian Health and Consumption Ministry, making it the only center in Spain with this arrangement. It is also the only university-affiliated center in Andalusia, having provided treatment to over seven hundred children.
Aside from providing care, CAIT-UCO is known for its focus on education, training, innovation, and research. Students from various university levels receive training at the center, and all professionals are actively engaged in research activities.
The multidisciplinary team at CAIT comprises professionals in psychology, speech therapy, physiotherapy, and educational psychology, reflecting its connection to the University of Córdoba.
During the anniversary event, the University of Córdoba’s Rector, Manuel Torralbo, praised CAIT-UCO as a model of innovation and commitment to early childhood development. He highlighted the unique collaboration between public health services and a university in Andalusia as a key factor in CAIT’s success.
The importance of early intervention was emphasized by CAIT’s director, Araceli Sánchez Raya, who underscored the critical role of early childhood in a child’s cognitive, emotional, social, and physical development. Early intervention can significantly impact a child’s future by addressing developmental issues promptly.
Special tribute was paid to the individuals involved in CAIT’s establishment, representatives from key associations in the sector, and professionals who have contributed to CAIT’s success over the years. The event concluded with moving testimonies from five families and five children who have been beneficiaries of CAIT’s services, followed by a performance by the UCO’s Averroes choir.
FUENTE