The Early Screening, Consultation and Assessment project will pilot a coordinated system of screening, consultation and assessment of children birth through age five with suspected developmental delays.

Children birth through age five who are referred to a Family Partner Agency will be screened using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ), Ages and Stages Questionnaire/Social Emotional (ASQ/SE), and a health survey.

Red flags on these screening instruments are indicators of “possible” concerns and/or delays. Children with red flags, and/or children whose parents express concerns regarding any aspect of the child’s cognitive, behavioral, social/emotional or physical development may be referred for consultation and further assessment when warranted.

The Family Partner will support the child and family through each step of the consultation and assessment process. Depending upon the outcome of the consultation, the assessment team may:

1. Work with the family to clarify factors which may be affecting the results of the screening instruments;
2. Collaborate with Family Partners to provide developmental-behavioral supports;
3. Provide anticipatory developmental guidance to parents and/or teachers;
4. Immediately refer the child and family for specialty services such as mental health services for maternal depression;
5. Refer for a Level I: Assessment for Intervention, a Level II: Targeted Diagnostic Assessment, or a referral to Early Start or the child’s school district for Special Education consideration.

Once the child and family has completed the appropriate level of screening, consultation and assessment services, the assessment team will work with the Family Partner to develop an appropriate Family Success Plan and connect with appropriate services. The Family Partner will continue to monitor the child on a schedule appropriate to the child’s age, and may re-refer the child/family to the assessment team for further consultation when warranted.