MA Learn the Signs Act Early Autism Campaign Minigrant

2010

The National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) launched the Learn the Signs. Act Early. (LTSAE) campaign in 2004 to educate parents, health care professionals, and child care providers about developmental milestones and the importance of early identification and intervention for children with signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and related developmental disabilities (DD). The LTSAE campaign has created tools and resources that have enhanced the quality and effectiveness of communication between parents and their children?s health care and child care providers. The Region I Act Early Regional Summit Project (Summit) held in Providence RI on April 28, 2010 furthered the LTSAE campaign by convening teams of key state early intervention leaders, including parents, state public health agencies, medical providers, educators, and personnel from academic institutions. The Summit was designed to strengthen the capacity of states to respond to the increasing demand for coordinated systems to address the needs of children with ASD and related DD. The Summit furthered the mission of the LTSAE campaign and enhance collaborations among stakeholders and state systems. The Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) joined NCBDDD in supporting and promoting the Summits to assist states in creating effective systems for the early identification, assessment, diagnosis and provision of services for children with ASD and related DD and their families. At the completion of each Summit, the MA state team developed a state plan outlining resources, activities, outputs, outcomes and vision to improve coordination and awareness of early identification and early intervention service systems for children with ASD and other related developmental disabilities within their state. AUCD in conjunction with NCBDDD and MCHB seeks to maintain and build upon the momentum from the collaborative state team work to carry out action steps within the state plan. In order to support the collaboration of the MA summit team and to further the activities initiated by the state team during the Act Early Summits, AUCD provided a minigrant for a twelve‐month period. The state team will use this funding as a catalyst for collaboration with stakeholders and to implement specific activities outlined in the state plan. The list of activities for MA state to carry out in the state plan during mini-grant period are outlined below by: (A) Activity; (O) Output;(S) Sustaining Activity. (A1): Meet with state team to coordinate MA Act Early activities (Summer 2010 - Spring 2011) (O1)(S): 4 state meetings: 2 in person and 2 webinars/teleconferences (A2): At first state meeting, complete short/long-term state work plan with logic model and gap analysis, aligned with the six national health objectives for CSHCN outlined in Healthy People 2010 (Summer 2010) (O2)(S): Comprehensive plan and measurement tool to ensure continuity (A3): At first state meeting, target key stakeholders for future of state team by missing areas of expertise and interest (Summer 2010) (O3)(S): Comprehensive team to include stakeholders unable to participate in Regional Summit (A4): Develop affordable and feasible outreach plan to increase public awareness (e.g., disseminating free CDC Act Early materials to families and professionals in settings such as childcare, education, early intervention, medical offices, churches, community centers, etc.) (Summer ? Fall 2010) (O4): Reach as many MA families of children age 0-5 as possible (est. 480,422 children) (A5): Explore CME possibilities through MA Chapter AAP and/or medical schools (All year) (O5): Increase amount of ASD training opportunities for MA physicians and residents (est. 984 pediatricians) (A6): Shorten time between screening and diagnosis through a) working with EI on second level screening; b) training M-CHAT telephone interview online; and c) coordinating EI and diagnosticians to streamline referrals to diagnostic centers (All year) (O6): New, coordinated training and practices to improve the quality and referral times for screening and diagnosis.

early identification, autism, training, information dissemination

Performing Technical Assistance and/or Training, Developing & Disseminating Information

Education & Early Intervention, Health-Related Activities, Quality of Life, Other - Cultural Diversity, Other

Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, Children/Adolescents with Disabilities/SHCN, Legislators/Policy Makers, General Public

Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Limited English, Geographic Areas, Rural/Remote, Urban, Specific Groups

State

N/A