From Small Moments to Big Milestones: Charron’s Work in Early Intervention

Published February 2026 as a part of the Career Exploration Tool: Stories from the Field series. This series of stories brings to life the many pathways members of Michigan’s early care and education field have taken to achieve their goals, nurture their interests, and achieve success.

Relocating to Michigan opened new opportunities, especially under a state law that uniquely extends support from birth through age 26. This broadened framework allowed Charron to deepen her work, not only fostering children’s communication skills but also empowering parents and caregivers to feel confident in their roles. “No two days are ever the same,” she shares. “That’s what makes this work so energizing.” From evaluations and collaborative planning to home visits and hands-on family coaching, her role is rooted in compassion, adaptability, and deep connection.

Her work shines in the quiet victories, a toddler’s first word, a caregiver’s newfound confidence, a family realizing their child’s potential. Living in the same community she serves, Charron has had the profound privilege of witnessing long-term growth in the families she supports. This visibility reinforces her belief in the power of early intervention to shape not only a child’s future but also strengthen the entire family unit.

The challenges, though real, have shaped her into a thoughtful and resilient practitioner. She carries the emotional weight of families’ fears and uncertainties with empathy and professional clarity. Through collaboration with colleagues, ongoing professional learning, and self-reflection, Charron stays grounded in her mission, not to “fix,” but to guide and empower.

Over the years, her expertise has grown far beyond speech-language development. Early intervention taught her to coach families, practice cultural responsiveness, and tailor her approach to meet each household where they are. With a master’s degree and a Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC), she has also pursued continuous learning through trainings and interdisciplinary collaboration, each interaction offering new lessons.

One family’s journey remains especially dear to her heart. She began working with a young child who, at the time, had no functional words. Over time, through shared effort and celebration of every small win, that child found his voice. Today, he thrives in a general education classroom with inclusive resource support—thriving, learning, and showing everyone around him just how capable he is. Every year on their shared birthday, his mother sends Charron a photo and an update, a gesture that captures the lasting impact of their partnership. “Those messages remind me of why I do this work,” she says. “Early intervention isn’t just a service, it’s a lifelong connection.”

To those just starting out, Charron offers sage advice: “Be patient with yourself. Focus on relationships. Stay curious. And never underestimate the impact of small moments.” For her, this field isn’t just a profession—it’s a joy, a privilege, and a daily reminder that powerful change begins in the earliest years of life.