Developmental Screenings
Educating parents and caregivers on what resources are available for developmental screenings, as well as how to access these screenings, is crucial to ensuring that developmental delays and disabilities are identified early. The CCDF final rule requires that information about developmental screenings be provided to parents as part of the child care assistance intake process, and to providers through training and education. This information must cover the following: [1]
✔️ Existing resources and services the state can provide for developmental screenings and referrals to services for children receiving CCDF assistance, including the coordinated use of the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) program and developmental screening services available under section 619 and Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
✔️ How families and providers may use these resources to obtain developmental screenings for children who may be at risk of developmental delays
The developmental screening process can be difficult for parents and child care providers to navigate, particularly those with limited English proficiency and low literacy rates. States can play a critical role by working across child care and other service systems to ensure that parents and child care providers have the information and supports they need to help children who might be at risk for social, emotional, physical, or linguistic delays. The Resource Guide: Child Development Resources for Parents and Providers includes information about resources in your state and community, publications with child development information, links to information on the web, and a list of programs that distribute books to parents and providers.
[1] CCDBG Act of 2014 658E(c)(2)(E)(ii); Child Care and Development Fund, 45 C.F.R. § 98.33(c) (2016).